English Tutor/Tuition Bolton Manchester: Austen’s Pride and Prejudice- Chapter 34 How NOT to propose marriage!

 

While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished, and her spirits were very differently affected, when, to her utter amazement, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In an hurried manner he immediately began an enquiry after her health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better. She answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began —

   “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

   Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority — of its being a degradation — of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

 

It is the 29th of February today and leap year! Thoughts of marriage and proposals are all over the media and here is one of my favourite marriage proposals in fiction. It could easily top any poll of ‘doomed’ marriage proposals and when you read it I am sure you can see why. That said, there is something very passionate about this scene, despite Darcy’s ill advised choice of language!

Of course Darcy does propose again in the novel  and is accepted. Perhaps Elizabeth’s ‘amazement’ and ‘astonishment’ are clues, for she reacts strongly to Darcy. She is not indifferent at all.  But Darcy’s first attempt is wonderfully gauche and explosive.  Darcy’s language reveals turmoil, judgement and pride. Yet he also seems an emotional volcano and utterly sincere. He EXPLODES into his proposal which has erotic appeal if little common sense or empathy !!!

If you look at the structuring of the proposal you might notice how the ‘love part’ is relegated to the final stage of the disclosure. The ‘ardent’ aspect of  Darcy’s love is thus suffocated by the denying ‘struggle’ of Darcy’s affection, leaving it very ‘unlikely to recommend his suit.’

What a brilliantly witty understatement !  Pride and Prejudice indeed!