I believe that the initial failure of the romantic relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy was definitely Darcy because he acted extremely shady when he first met Elizabeth at the ball. When first seeing Elizabeth he claims 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” (ch 3).
I think that the initial failure of the romantic relationship between Bingley and Jane was Jane’s fault. It says repeatedly in the book how Jane has problems expressing her emotions. Darcy even says in his letter to Elizabeth that the reason he believed Jane did not truly love Bingley is because the night of the ball “her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and [Darcy] remained convinced from the evening's scrutiny, that though she received [Bingley’s] attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment” (ch 35).
I believe that the failure of the relationship between Bingley and Jane was Bingley's fault. When Jane and Elizabeth are alone, Jane expresses to Elizabeth how excited she is that Bingley is interested in her. "He is just what a good man ought to be," said she, "sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!" (16) Even though it seems in the beginning that Bingly feels the same way about Jane, but suddenly he leaves for London and is not to return for the rest of the winter. It seems that he abandons the relationship, leaving Jane to deal with the heartbreak and lonliness. I also think that Miss Bingley has a part in hurting the relationship between Bingley and Jane. It seems she does not approve of Jane and her social status. We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother, from the notion that when there has been one intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a second." (119) She is only concerned with herself and Elizabeth tells Jane, "She sends Jane a letter saying that she should give up on Bingley because he is probably going to be marrying Miss Darcy.
I believe that the initial failure of the romantic relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy was Darcy's fault. To me, he seems to put people off from the very beginning, and to Elizabeth who is skeptical of people to begin with, Darcy makes it hard for her to even talk with him. However, as the novel progresses Elizabeth begins to see that Mr. Darcy may in fact be interested her, despite his unagreeable nature. "Mr. Darcy had first scarcely allowed her to be pretty: he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticize. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes." (24)
Okay so to me, in Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship, the cause of the initial failure is Darcy's narcissistic comments about Elizabeth. When Bingley hints that he wants Darcy to dance with Elizabeth, he makes a rude comment about her saying that "she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me (7)." Also, when Bingley tries to get him to dance, he makes a negative comment that goes a little something like this..."I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with." Now honestly...with a negative and narrow minded attitude like that...how is anyone going to be in any kind of relationship, yet alone being able to get a girl's attention?? And this is probably why Elizabeth thinks of Darcy with disgust in the beginning.
And to me, the initial failure of Bingley and Jane's relationship is neither one of them really. I think it's actually Mrs. Bennet. Maybe it's just me, but honestly, if my mom pushed me to be with someone who I didn't know, I wouldn't want to show my emotions right away. That's kind of cheezy to me. And I know this is set back in time, but people's feelings I believe are still similar. Also, it didn't help that Bingley suddenly leaves for London. That would suck really bad. And the attitude that Miss Bingley had towards Elizabeth when her and Jane were stuck at their house didn't help either. When she said something about 'appropriate' women, that kind of made me a little sketchy about her attitude. "A woman must have thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and espressions, or the word will be but half deserved (29)." This, to me, is kind of sexist, because she's basically making fun of Elizabeth because she likes to read. What's wrong with that?
...just to let you know, this entry may not be as superb as my last..the one that was just deleted when i had to create my account...it's gone now, so i'm forced to start over...I hope it's just as good
The initial failure of both Darcy & Elizabeth's and Bingley & Jane's relationships was set off by actions of certain characters.
In Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's case the initial failure was brought about by Darcy's judgemental personality. From the moment they met Darcy was nothing but rude to Ellizabeth and even refused to dance with her. Darcy made many rude comments to Elizabeth concerning her personality and, "Young ladies who are slighted by other men." (7) Another character that plays into the initial failure of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship is Miss Bingley, Charles' sister. Miss Bingley has quite the affection for Mr. Darcy and when she learns of his affection for Elizabeth she becomes extremely jealous. This jealousy even leads her to making fun of Elizabeth and her family for an entire day.
For Charles Bingley and Jane, the initial failure in their relationship was brought about by Charles' abrupt travel to London. Charles and Mr. Darcy left for London, leaving Jane back. This of course created problems because we all know that it takes two to make a relationship work. Though their relationship had no previous bumps in the road (rude comments, refusals to dance, and angry sisters) this leaving for London has a great physical effect on the blossoming relationship...
A developing relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy could never occur on account of Mr. Darcy's ill-temper and of the Elizabeth's acquaintance of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth was first turned off by Darcy's extreme pride in not dancing with her and calling her "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" (13). In contrast, Elizabeth found Mr. Wickham a very agreeable man from the beginning. When she heard of the quarrels between Wickham and Darcy, she had no doubt in believing Darcy guilty.
I blame the failure of Bingley and Jane's relationship on Bingley's conniving sisters. Caroline was deceitful from the beginning, which becomes apparent when Jane visits London. Jane mentions in her letter to Elizabeth about Caroline that, "yet it should seem by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he [Bingley] is really partial to Miss Darcy" (146). Bingley's sisters have a strong desire for Miss Darcy and Bingley to marry, and therefore keep their brother as far away from Jane as possible. And I also agree with Corinne, I think that Mrs. Bennett also played a part in their failure. The Bingley sisters saw Mrs. Bennett as annoying and pushy, trying to force a relationship.
In terms of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy it is most definitely Mr. Darcy's fault for the relationship's failure. As everyone else has said, Darcy's rudeness and total lack of respect for people who are not "at his level" in society is actually disgusting. He seems to look down upon those who are not in the same social status as he is. His first remarks about Elizabeth, were 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” (7) It is Elizabeth who first realizes that he may have an interest in her. Elizabeth realizes that his actions may be meant as something other than what everyone else is seeing. She sees a man who “made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes." (24) Elizabeth knew that Darcy noticed her.
As for the relationship between Bingley and Jane it is Mr. Bingley’s fault the relationship initially fails because of his unannounced departure to London. Jane was so excited that she found a man who was "sensible, good-humoured, [and] lively” (16) Also the constant nagging and prying for Jane to be in a relationship with the new man to the area may have caused the relationship to fail. It was her father who had the idea for Bingley to come to the girls or to have someone else introduce them, but Jane’s mother pushed for the girls to introduce themselves and to get to know their new neighbor right away because one of them, according to her, could be his future bride.
Throughout the novel, I believe there are several people responsible for the failure of the relationships between Elizabeth and Darcy and Bingley and Jane.
In regards to the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, it is undoubtedly the arrogance of Mr. Darcy hinders the relationship. From their first meeting, it is clear to all of those present at the party that he has a cocky and self-centered way of thinking. As stated in a previous blog, it is hard to love another person when you are so stuck on yourself. Love is a give-and-take kind of thing, rather than a just take-and-take-and-take kind of thing. With shallow comments based on physical appearance, Mr. Bingley is rude and condescending; this opinion is proven when he states,"You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquanted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in this room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with." (7)
When speaking in regards to the relationship between Mr. Bingley and Jane, I believe there are two people at fault for the relationship's initial failure. First of all, I find Jane at fault for the failure. I believe this because of her attitude towards love and relationships. She is continually stand-offish and seemingly neutral to the thoughts of love and intimacy with Bingley. Also, I find Mrs. Bennet at fault for the relationship's failure. Her constant pressuring and high standards for each of her daughter's love lives is ridiculous. Love is love, let it be.
The failure of the romantic relationship between Bingley and Jane would most likely be both of them. Jane was more quiet and closed off, not opening herself up for the relationship. If the woman of the relationship is closed off, their is no hope for it, because men are usually closed off as well. The other girl in the relationship, Miss Bingley, his sister, doesn't help at all. She doesn't approve of Jane due to her lack of upper class social status, and talks Jane down all the time. Also, Bingley didn't have to go off to London randomly and leave Jane alone for a winter.
For Elizabeth and Darcy, its totally Darcy's fault. He is a bit of a jerk to begin with what with the comments that he makes about Elizabeth. He's too good for her, as he thinks. But she proves to be his equal in intellect, and she calls his bluff and surprises him throughout the novel. If he let his ego go, things would've worked out sooner.
In Elizabeth and Darcy’s case I think Darcy is the one to blame for the initial failure of their relationship. Darcy is too proud. With just a glance Darcy finds Elizabeth to be "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" (7). Later as he becomes fond of Elizabeth he could never think of her as his prospective wife because her poorness “lessen[s] [her] chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world” (26). He believes in status over true love.
In Jane and Bingley’s case I think Jane is mostly to blame. Jane was “in a way to be very much in love” but concealed her feelings for Mr. Bingley (14). It is hard to have a relationship if they don’t know what you feel for them. Also, Bingley leaves with short notice for London, making the relationship almost none existent.
In the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, I think Darcy should be blamed for the initial ruin of the relationship. Darcy comes off as arrogant and rude, which would push anyone away. When Darcy meets Elizabeth, he starts making rude comments right away, saying he did not want to dance with her because she “is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me;” (8). Not only did he make this rude comment about her, but he also said it when she was within earshot. Although towards the end of the novel, Darcy proves himself as a gentleman, the way he made his first impression could have cost him the relationship.
In the relationship between Jane and Mr. Bingley I think Miss Bingley is to blame for the ruin of their relationship. The situation the initially ruined the relationship was when the Miss Bingley sent the letter that their family was going to London. This would not have been so bad, but then Miss Bingley also implied in the letter she wrote that Mr. Bingley was planning on marrying Georgiana Darcy. Also after Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane, Elizabeth and Jane concluded that the reason for Bingley not coming to visit Jane while she was in London “must have been his sister’s doing.”, since “they were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me” (299). If Miss Bingley had liked the idea of them getting married, then there would have been no problems in the first place.
I think that in the relationship between darcy and Elizabeth Darcy is probably most to blame since he is such a snob and so into status and wealth. When they first met at the ball, it was Darcy who sort of kept them apart with his arrogance and pride. When he saw her at the ball and Bingley told him to go dance with her he said that she “is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Ch. 3)
And now the failure of the relationship between Bingley and Jane lies on both of them. I don’t think it was one single person but more a combination of them. Bingley because he left for London unexpectedly and that was rude. Jane also seems very closed about love and emotions and doesn’t let them show.
The initial failure of Elizabeth and Darcy's romance, as everyone has said, is Darcy's fault. Upon their first meeting he was rude, boorish and snotty. When asked to dance with Elizabeth, he remarked "she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me". Elizabeth never forgets this rude commentary and it takes her a long time to get over her first impression of him.
The initial failure of Bingley and Jane's romance was the conniving Miss Bingley. She did not approve of the whole Bennet family. After Bingley and Jane are reunited, Bingley reveals that he had no idea she was in town at the same time as him. Jane muses that "It must have been his sister's doing. They were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, since he might have chosen so much more advantageously in many respects". Miss Bingley tried to destroy their romance because she didn't find the Bennet family to have enough money and class.
I think that Darcy is most at fault for the initial breakup between him and Elizabeth. When he goes to the first dance he is predisposed to not enjoy it. He doesn't dance and he insults Elizabeth in hearing distance of her by saying "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" (14). Later when Elizabeth is at Bingley's house visiting her sister he tries to ignore her or insult her. By that time she utterly despises him. He does this because her family isn't good enough in the status department for him. Which is a foolish reason but to each his own.
The initial failure between Bingley and Jane is in my opinion Jane's fault. I think that she is too reserved. She has trouble showing her emotions and Darcy says in his letter to Elizabeth that "the serenity of your sister's countenance and air was such as might have given the most acute observer a conviction that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be easily touched" (195). In light of that I think that some of the blame lies on Darcy for not trying to figure out her feelings and making assumptions based on looks and reactions.
Well, I believe that in Jane and Bingley's relationship, there were many characters who played a role in the initial failure of the relationship. First of all, Jane hardly opened herself up to Bingley, rarely showing any emotion towards him whatsoever. If I were Bingley I would be quite annoyed and a little discouraged by her lack of emotion. However, Bingley did not help the initial relationship by going of to London for the winter. Obviously, long distance relationships were out of the question back then. Finally, I believe two people outside the relationship helped the initial failure - Mrs. Bennet (Jane's mother) and Miss. Bingley (Charles' mother). Each character has their own rude qualities about them, pushiness and rudeness, towards the two people actually in the relationhip, which causes the relationship to initially crumble..(if that makes any sense).
However, on the other hand, the initial failure of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship is OBVIOUSLY Darcy. It seems that most of my classmates agree, in the fact that Darcy comes off as a very cocky and egotistical man. I am personally turned off by someone with that manner, and his family also portrays that manner which turns women off even more. There is no doubt that had Darcy not acted so rude at the ball, the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth would have quickly blossomed.
18 comments:
I believe that the initial failure of the romantic relationship of Elizabeth and Darcy was definitely Darcy because he acted extremely shady when he first met Elizabeth at the ball. When first seeing Elizabeth he claims 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” (ch 3).
I think that the initial failure of the romantic relationship between Bingley and Jane was Jane’s fault. It says repeatedly in the book how Jane has problems expressing her emotions. Darcy even says in his letter to Elizabeth that the reason he believed Jane did not truly love Bingley is because the night of the ball “her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard, and [Darcy] remained convinced from the evening's scrutiny, that though she received [Bingley’s] attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment” (ch 35).
I believe that the failure of the relationship between Bingley and Jane was Bingley's fault. When Jane and Elizabeth are alone, Jane expresses to Elizabeth how excited she is that Bingley is interested in her. "He is just what a good man ought to be," said she, "sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!" (16) Even though it seems in the beginning that Bingly feels the same way about Jane, but suddenly he leaves for London and is not to return for the rest of the winter. It seems that he abandons the relationship, leaving Jane to deal with the heartbreak and lonliness. I also think that Miss Bingley has a part in hurting the relationship between Bingley and Jane. It seems she does not approve of Jane and her social status. We are not rich enough or grand enough for them; and she is the more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother, from the notion that when there has been one intermarriage, she may have less trouble in achieving a second." (119) She is only concerned with herself and Elizabeth tells Jane, "She sends Jane a letter saying that she should give up on Bingley because he is probably going to be marrying Miss Darcy.
I believe that the initial failure of the romantic relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy was Darcy's fault. To me, he seems to put people off from the very beginning, and to Elizabeth who is skeptical of people to begin with, Darcy makes it hard for her to even talk with him. However, as the novel progresses Elizabeth begins to see that Mr. Darcy may in fact be interested her, despite his unagreeable nature. "Mr. Darcy had first scarcely allowed her to be pretty: he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticize. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes." (24)
Okay so to me, in Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship, the cause of the initial failure is Darcy's narcissistic comments about Elizabeth. When Bingley hints that he wants Darcy to dance with Elizabeth, he makes a rude comment about her saying that "she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me (7)." Also, when Bingley tries to get him to dance, he makes a negative comment that goes a little something like this..."I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with." Now honestly...with a negative and narrow minded attitude like that...how is anyone going to be in any kind of relationship, yet alone being able to get a girl's attention?? And this is probably why Elizabeth thinks of Darcy with disgust in the beginning.
And to me, the initial failure of Bingley and Jane's relationship is neither one of them really. I think it's actually Mrs. Bennet. Maybe it's just me, but honestly, if my mom pushed me to be with someone who I didn't know, I wouldn't want to show my emotions right away. That's kind of cheezy to me. And I know this is set back in time, but people's feelings I believe are still similar. Also, it didn't help that Bingley suddenly leaves for London. That would suck really bad. And the attitude that Miss Bingley had towards Elizabeth when her and Jane were stuck at their house didn't help either. When she said something about 'appropriate' women, that kind of made me a little sketchy about her attitude. "A woman must have thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and espressions, or the word will be but half deserved (29)." This, to me, is kind of sexist, because she's basically making fun of Elizabeth because she likes to read. What's wrong with that?
...just to let you know, this entry may not be as superb as my last..the one that was just deleted when i had to create my account...it's gone now, so i'm forced to start over...I hope it's just as good
The initial failure of both Darcy & Elizabeth's and Bingley & Jane's relationships was set off by actions of certain characters.
In Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's case the initial failure was brought about by Darcy's judgemental personality. From the moment they met Darcy was nothing but rude to Ellizabeth and even refused to dance with her. Darcy made many rude comments to Elizabeth concerning her personality and, "Young ladies who are slighted by other men." (7) Another character that plays into the initial failure of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship is Miss Bingley, Charles' sister. Miss Bingley has quite the affection for Mr. Darcy and when she learns of his affection for Elizabeth she becomes extremely jealous. This jealousy even leads her to making fun of Elizabeth and her family for an entire day.
For Charles Bingley and Jane, the initial failure in their relationship was brought about by Charles' abrupt travel to London. Charles and Mr. Darcy left for London, leaving Jane back. This of course created problems because we all know that it takes two to make a relationship work. Though their relationship had no previous bumps in the road (rude comments, refusals to dance, and angry sisters) this leaving for London has a great physical effect on the blossoming relationship...
A developing relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy could never occur on account of Mr. Darcy's ill-temper and of the Elizabeth's acquaintance of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth was first turned off by Darcy's extreme pride in not dancing with her and calling her "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" (13). In contrast, Elizabeth found Mr. Wickham a very agreeable man from the beginning. When she heard of the quarrels between Wickham and Darcy, she had no doubt in believing Darcy guilty.
I blame the failure of Bingley and Jane's relationship on Bingley's conniving sisters. Caroline was deceitful from the beginning, which becomes apparent when Jane visits London. Jane mentions in her letter to Elizabeth about Caroline that, "yet it should seem by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he [Bingley] is really partial to Miss Darcy" (146). Bingley's sisters have a strong desire for Miss Darcy and Bingley to marry, and therefore keep their brother as far away from Jane as possible. And I also agree with Corinne, I think that Mrs. Bennett also played a part in their failure. The Bingley sisters saw Mrs. Bennett as annoying and pushy, trying to force a relationship.
So, if Darcy is so rude, and Elizabeth is so turned off by his rudeness, what causes each of them to change?
In terms of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy it is most definitely Mr. Darcy's fault for the relationship's failure. As everyone else has said, Darcy's rudeness and total lack of respect for people who are not "at his level" in society is actually disgusting. He seems to look down upon those who are not in the same social status as he is. His first remarks about Elizabeth, were 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” (7) It is Elizabeth who first realizes that he may have an interest in her. Elizabeth realizes that his actions may be meant as something other than what everyone else is seeing. She sees a man who “made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes." (24) Elizabeth knew that Darcy noticed her.
As for the relationship between Bingley and Jane it is Mr. Bingley’s fault the relationship initially fails because of his unannounced departure to London. Jane was so excited that she found a man who was "sensible, good-humoured, [and] lively” (16) Also the constant nagging and prying for Jane to be in a relationship with the new man to the area may have caused the relationship to fail. It was her father who had the idea for Bingley to come to the girls or to have someone else introduce them, but Jane’s mother pushed for the girls to introduce themselves and to get to know their new neighbor right away because one of them, according to her, could be his future bride.
Throughout the novel, I believe there are several people responsible for the failure of the relationships between Elizabeth and Darcy and Bingley and Jane.
In regards to the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, it is undoubtedly the arrogance of Mr. Darcy hinders the relationship. From their first meeting, it is clear to all of those present at the party that he has a cocky and self-centered way of thinking. As stated in a previous blog, it is hard to love another person when you are so stuck on yourself. Love is a give-and-take kind of thing, rather than a just take-and-take-and-take kind of thing. With shallow comments based on physical appearance, Mr. Bingley is rude and condescending; this opinion is proven when he states,"You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquanted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in this room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with." (7)
When speaking in regards to the relationship between Mr. Bingley and Jane, I believe there are two people at fault for the relationship's initial failure. First of all, I find Jane at fault for the failure. I believe this because of her attitude towards love and relationships. She is continually stand-offish and seemingly neutral to the thoughts of love and intimacy with Bingley. Also, I find Mrs. Bennet at fault for the relationship's failure. Her constant pressuring and high standards for each of her daughter's love lives is ridiculous. Love is love, let it be.
The failure of the romantic relationship between Bingley and Jane would most likely be both of them. Jane was more quiet and closed off, not opening herself up for the relationship. If the woman of the relationship is closed off, their is no hope for it, because men are usually closed off as well. The other girl in the relationship, Miss Bingley, his sister, doesn't help at all. She doesn't approve of Jane due to her lack of upper class social status, and talks Jane down all the time. Also, Bingley didn't have to go off to London randomly and leave Jane alone for a winter.
For Elizabeth and Darcy, its totally Darcy's fault. He is a bit of a jerk to begin with what with the comments that he makes about Elizabeth. He's too good for her, as he thinks. But she proves to be his equal in intellect, and she calls his bluff and surprises him throughout the novel. If he let his ego go, things would've worked out sooner.
In Elizabeth and Darcy’s case I think Darcy is the one to blame for the initial failure of their relationship. Darcy is too proud. With just a glance Darcy finds Elizabeth to be "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" (7). Later as he becomes fond of Elizabeth he could never think of her as his prospective wife because her poorness “lessen[s] [her] chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world” (26). He believes in status over true love.
In Jane and Bingley’s case I think Jane is mostly to blame. Jane was “in a way to be very much in love” but concealed her feelings for Mr. Bingley (14). It is hard to have a relationship if they don’t know what you feel for them. Also, Bingley leaves with short notice for London, making the relationship almost none existent.
In the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, I think Darcy should be blamed for the initial ruin of the relationship. Darcy comes off as arrogant and rude, which would push anyone away. When Darcy meets Elizabeth, he starts making rude comments right away, saying he did not want to dance with her because she “is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me;” (8). Not only did he make this rude comment about her, but he also said it when she was within earshot. Although towards the end of the novel, Darcy proves himself as a gentleman, the way he made his first impression could have cost him the relationship.
In the relationship between Jane and Mr. Bingley I think Miss Bingley is to blame for the ruin of their relationship. The situation the initially ruined the relationship was when the Miss Bingley sent the letter that their family was going to London. This would not have been so bad, but then Miss Bingley also implied in the letter she wrote that Mr. Bingley was planning on marrying Georgiana Darcy. Also after Mr. Bingley proposed to Jane, Elizabeth and Jane concluded that the reason for Bingley not coming to visit Jane while she was in London “must have been his sister’s doing.”, since “they were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me” (299). If Miss Bingley had liked the idea of them getting married, then there would have been no problems in the first place.
I think that in the relationship between darcy and Elizabeth Darcy is probably most to blame since he is such a snob and so into status and wealth. When they first met at the ball, it was Darcy who sort of kept them apart with his arrogance and pride. When he saw her at the ball and Bingley told him to go dance with her he said that she “is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Ch. 3)
And now the failure of the relationship between Bingley and Jane lies on both of them. I don’t think it was one single person but more a combination of them. Bingley because he left for London unexpectedly and that was rude. Jane also seems very closed about love and emotions and doesn’t let them show.
The initial failure of Elizabeth and Darcy's romance, as everyone has said, is Darcy's fault. Upon their first meeting he was rude, boorish and snotty. When asked to dance with Elizabeth, he remarked "she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me". Elizabeth never forgets this rude commentary and it takes her a long time to get over her first impression of him.
The initial failure of Bingley and Jane's romance was the conniving Miss Bingley. She did not approve of the whole Bennet family. After Bingley and Jane are reunited, Bingley reveals that he had no idea she was in town at the same time as him. Jane muses that "It must have been his sister's doing. They were certainly no friends to his acquaintance with me, which I cannot wonder at, since he might have chosen so much more advantageously in many respects". Miss Bingley tried to destroy their romance because she didn't find the Bennet family to have enough money and class.
I think that Darcy is most at fault for the initial breakup between him and Elizabeth. When he goes to the first dance he is predisposed to not enjoy it. He doesn't dance and he insults Elizabeth in hearing distance of her by saying "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" (14). Later when Elizabeth is at Bingley's house visiting her sister he tries to ignore her or insult her. By that time she utterly despises him. He does this because her family isn't good enough in the status department for him. Which is a foolish reason but to each his own.
The initial failure between Bingley and Jane is in my opinion Jane's fault. I think that she is too reserved. She has trouble showing her emotions and Darcy says in his letter to Elizabeth that "the serenity of your sister's countenance and air was such as might have given the most acute observer a conviction that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be easily touched" (195). In light of that I think that some of the blame lies on Darcy for not trying to figure out her feelings and making assumptions based on looks and reactions.
Well, I believe that in Jane and Bingley's relationship, there were many characters who played a role in the initial failure of the relationship. First of all, Jane hardly opened herself up to Bingley, rarely showing any emotion towards him whatsoever. If I were Bingley I would be quite annoyed and a little discouraged by her lack of emotion. However, Bingley did not help the initial relationship by going of to London for the winter. Obviously, long distance relationships were out of the question back then. Finally, I believe two people outside the relationship helped the initial failure - Mrs. Bennet (Jane's mother) and Miss. Bingley (Charles' mother). Each character has their own rude qualities about them, pushiness and rudeness, towards the two people actually in the relationhip, which causes the relationship to initially crumble..(if that makes any sense).
However, on the other hand, the initial failure of Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship is OBVIOUSLY Darcy. It seems that most of my classmates agree, in the fact that Darcy comes off as a very cocky and egotistical man. I am personally turned off by someone with that manner, and his family also portrays that manner which turns women off even more. There is no doubt that had Darcy not acted so rude at the ball, the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth would have quickly blossomed.
Excuse me, when I said Miss. Bingley, I meant Charles' sister.
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