Assignment: For each of the event shown below, assign a point value to each character's attitude toward the other at the time of that event. Justify your scores with specific references to/passages from the text. Lasting Love = 25
Hatred = 0
Scores
Meryton Ball
Elizabeth- 2
Darcy- 2
During Jane's illness
Elizabeth-5
Darcy-7
Netherfield Ball
Elizabeth- 6
Darcy- 12
First Meeting at Hunsford
Elizabeth-7
Darcy-17
Last Meeting at Hunsford
Elizabeth-6
Darcy-19
Meeting at Pemberley
Elizabeth- 22
Darcy-22
Final Meeting at Longbourn
Elizabeth- 25
Darcy-25
Explanations
Meryton Ball
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth do not necessarily hate each other at this point, but they certainly dislike each other/are not remotely attracted to each other. At the ball, Mr. Darcy keeps to himself, and is seen as arrogant. His comment that "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men..." clearly shows his thoughts about Elizabeth at the time. She overhears his words and is mildly offended, but doesn't take his opinion to heart.
During Jane's illness
Elizabeth's dislike of Darcy weakens as they engage in playful banter, but there is more concrete evidence that Darcy is developing significant feelings for her. When Miss Bingley tries to trick Darcy into insulting Elizabeth after she walks a few miles to Netherfield to see her sister, he replies "[Her eyes] were brightened by the exercise." Elizabeth also notes "how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her," thinks that is is because she is doing something wrong, and the narrator says that "she liked him too little to care for his approbation." When it is announced that Elizabeth and Jane will leave Netherfield "To Mr. Darcy it was welcome intelligence...[Elizabeth] attracted him more than he liked..."
Netherfield Ball
At this ball, Elizabeth is distracted by thoughts of Mr. Wickham and the interesting things that he told her about Darcy. Convinced that Mr. Wickham did not attend the ball because of Mr. Darcy, "she was resolved against any sort of conversation with [Darcy], and turned away with a degree of ill humour..." Mr. Darcy "approaches to claim her hand" (a sign that he likes her, considering he hates dancing) and she accepts, and they engage in more playful banter. Darcy seems to have become nicer, especially when compared to Elizabeth's sharp responses. (ex. "Books--Oh! no.--I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings." Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth become more clear when he overhears Mrs. Bennet talking bad about him, and remains silent and grave throughout the rest of the evening.
First Meeting at Hunsford
Elizabeth may not see any truth in Charlotte's comment "I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility, Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me" and may not take notice of Darcy's increasing politeness with her, but it is obvious to the reader that his feelings towards her have developed. When she is chatting enthusiastically with his cousin, he repeatedly watches them curiously, and looks ashamed of his aunt's ill breeding when she tries to insult Elizabeth's playing. He even stands near her while she plays pianoforte "so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance." Elizabeth is cordial to him, but her views are still tainted by Wickham's story. His feelings are subtle, (in fact, Elizabeth sees indifference in his silence) but Charlotte sees the truth: "My dear Eliza he must be in love with you, or he would never have called on us in this familiar way." When Colonel Fitzwilliam alludes to the fact that Mr. Darcy split up Jane and Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth begins to like Darcy less and less.
Last Meeting at Hunsford
In this last meeting (or second-to-last meeting, since the pair meet again when Darcy gives Elizabeth the letter) Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, and she rejects him. Darcy semi-awkwardly blurts out, "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you," a statement that shocks Elizabeth. Before she harshly responds, she looks at him and only sees incredible pride, which reminds her of "his sense of her inferiority" and "her deep-rooted dislike." She angrily accuses him of foul play with Wickham, as well as Jane and Mr. Bingley. At this point, Elizabeth is not remotely close to loving Darcy, and though he cares for her, his love has not yet truly blossomed.
Meeting at Pemberly
Elizabeth's love for Darcy skyrockets between his failed proposal and the next time that they meet at Pemberly. She understands that she was prejudiced against him, and begins to develop feelings for the man that she used to hate. Her feelings for him increase as his housekeeper praises him, and continue to rise when he is polite to her, even though she was so harsh to him at their last meeting. Miss Bingley tries again to insult Elizabeth and reminds Mr. Darcy of his thoughts of her at Netherfield, but he retorts, "Yes...but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance." This proves that his love too has grown.
Final Meetings at Longbourn
By this time, it has been revealed that Darcy paid Mr. Wickham so that Elizabeth's family would not have to, and Elizabeth concludes that "[her family] owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, everything to him!" "Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her" and "how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed towards him." Unlike Darcy, whose love grew steadily over time, Elizabeth is hit all at once by her feelings. She fears that Darcy will never love her because of her previous rejection, and is pleasantly surprised when calls repeatedly at Longbourn and reveals that his feelings are unwavering. When Darcy proposes to Elizabeth, the reader can be sure that both characters are experiencing an everlasting love deserving the score of 25.
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