Assignment:
1) Imagine that you are a LOOOOOVE detective. Someone has hired you to discover whether there is any truth to this rumor:
Darcy loooooooves Elizabeth.
2) Hunt through the text for all the clues that you can find that have bearing on the question. Make sure you provide enough information in your notes so that you can tell your client where you got the clues!
3) Formulate an answer for your client: Does that person looooooove the other one or not? If you can't tell, why not?
Detective Work:
Case 1: Darcy looooooves Elizabeth.
Clues/Evidence:
1) "But no sooner had [Mr. Darcy] made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, then he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes...He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others." (page 22)
Notes: Darcy is determined not to like her, but the "intelligence of her dark eyes" reel him in.
2) '...My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.' Miss Bingley...desired [Mr. Darcy] would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections...'Miss Elizabeth Bennet.'" (page 25)
Notes: This is an example of Mr. Darcy being lost in thoughts of Elizabeth...much to Miss Bingley's dismay.
3) "'I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,' observed Miss Bingley...'that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of [Elizabeth's] fine eyes.' 'Not at all,' he replied; 'they were brightened by the exercise.'" (page 32)
Notes: Miss Bingley tries to trick Mr. Darcy into insulting Elizabeth, but he stands by his opinion about her beautiful eyes.
4) "...Elizabeth could not help observing as she turned over some music books...how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her." (page 45)
Notes: This one is pretty obvious, considering he's staring at her!
5) "...but there was a mixture of sweetness and archness in [Elizabeth's manner] which made it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. He really believed that were it not for the inferiority of her connections he should be in some danger." (page 46)
Notes: It seems here that Darcy's interest in Elizabeth is increasing, but part of him is trying to restrain himself because she is lower on the social ladder.
6) "To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence--Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked..." (page 52)
Note: This quote goes with the last one. He is trying to stop himself from liking her because he knows that she is not technically "good enough" for him.
7) "'I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,' [Darcy] coldly replied. [Elizabeth] said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree, for in Darcy's breast there was a tolerable powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another." (page 82)
Note: Even when Elizabeth is cold towards him, he can't get mad at her! The fact that a "powerful" feeling comes over him may mean that his affection for her is growing.
8) (Mrs. Bennet is speaking loudly about Mr. Darcy, even though he's in earshot.) "[Elizabeth] could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity." (page 87)
Notes: Mr. Darcy is probably eavesdropping to get clues on how Elizabeth feels about him, and Mrs. Bennet's comments seem to assure him that Elizabeth does not return his sentiments.
9) "[Elizabeth] looked at [Mr. Bingley's] two sisters, and saw them making signs of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued however impenetrably grave." (page 88) and "She was at least free from the offence [sic] of Mr. Darcy's further notice; though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came near enough to speak." (page 90)
Notes: Mr. Darcy spends the rest of the evening quiet, disengaged, and lost in thought. This is the kind of behavior shown by people who indirectly receive bad news, are supremely bummed out about it, and have no desire to socialize, yet are still forced to be around other people. (I must admit that this has happened to me more than once.)
Conclusion:
The rumor is true! Mr. Darcy loooooves Elizabeth. Even though he tries to hide his feelings from her and attempts to convince himself that he doesn't like her, it is clear to the reader that Mr. Darcy is gradually falling in love with Elizabeth. He realizes this himself, and is horrified by the fact because he doesn't think that she is "right" for him because of her social standing. It will be interesting to see if this conflicted individual can sort out his emotions, and if Elizabeth will ever feel the same way about him.
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