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One particular aspect of British culture and its literature has been the importance of society and social norms and its influence on the individual. One of the characters from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is chosen for analysis. The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss how the character’s strengths or weaknesses are linked with social norms described in the novel on the example of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Particular attention is paid to Darcy’s background (upbringing and education, influence of society) and foreground, represented by geographic location (Longbourn, Netherfield Park, Rosings Park and Pemberley), and how change of foreground affects his conduct.

Development of Character in Society

based on the novel

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

According to the assignment for the paper I have chosen a character, Fitzwilliam Darcy, from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. My choice is nonrandom and stipulated by the following: first of all I liked the novel, second – the task is challenging, interesting and still actual nowadays not only in British culture but in any other; third – Darcy is my favorite character in the novel, I completely understand his conduct and it is interesting to analyze how his peculiarities are influenced by social norms and other external factors.

Before starting my analysis outright it is necessary to distinguish several groups of people which have different social norms, customs and traditions, values and philosophy, and, of course, they inhabit different lands. Diversification by geographic location is the most appropriate and simple. The major events take place in the following places: Longbourn, Netherfield Park, Rosings Park and Pemberley. So my analysis will be processed to the above specified framework.

Longbourn. There is no doubt Darcy is intelligent and well-mannered young man but the first impressions of Longbourn people at the ball were quite different: “He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again” (Ch. 3) and his pride became obvious for the local society. These first impressions are very hard to shift because Darcy danced only once, didn’t speak or acquainted with anybody, but he did not say any rude things to anybody also. As for me “his character was decided” in this way only because he did not justify hopes of people – all they wanted to marry off one of the young ladies from Longbourn to Darcy and make others be bursting with envy. If only Darcy justified their hopes all his rudeness, assumed by Longbourn residents, would be forgotten and forgiven at the very moment. People expected from Darcy something that spoiled his own plans or expectations for the ball, even if there were no of these except for having a good time. Surely, he did not plan to dance at the ball or make dating not only because of his excessive vanity (yes it is major reason), caused by prejudices to these people, and strong unwillingness to please this crowd. He surely sees them through! Let’s do not forget that a dance at the ball lasts not 5 but 30-40 minutes, and people carry out some figures couple after couple. After all let’s consider Darcy did not say rude things to anybody and his conversation with Mr. Bingley was private, there was no word meant to be heard by anyone else. In addition, we can be sure that present people discussed and gossiped Darcy and Bingley also, and who knows what they said?! I think that before the ball Darcy was already “considered the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters” (Ch. 1) along with Bingley and it is not his fault that such a prejudice “is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families” (Ch.1). As for me negative first impressions were caused by prejudice of Longbourn residents and the same of Darcy. Later Darcy explains his conduct: “I certainly have not the talent … of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done” (Ch.31), his cousin states another point of view: “It is because he will not give himself the trouble” (Ch.31). I think Darcy just does not want to strain himself once more. Some words about Darcy’s vanity mentioned above: it can be stated with confidence Darcy would not conduct himself at the ball in London or Pemberley as he did in Logbourn because Longbourn residents do not have the same social status, they are “small fries” in comparison to Darcy. Such a consideration is quite common for the novel characters and stipulated by mentality of this time. Let us imagine Ms. Bennet or Ms. Lucas will be brought to the party of tradespeople or plodders, can we be sure they won’t show their vanity? The answer is no. They would not visit such a ball, probably. Let’s imagine more advanced situation: Darcy is not so wealthy and is not from noble family, would Longbourn families be so concerned with his persona? Of course no, he will be just a small fry unworthy of their eye.

Netherfield Park. Here Darcy does not show his vanity so excessive because he knows everybody, how to react to them, what to expect from them and who they are. He has got accustomed to annoyances and footsie of Ms. Bennet. Here he can give himself up to reading or playing cards etc. There is no need to show vanity but as required he is able to insist on his own and emphasize his status. For instance, when Elizabeth walked to Netherfield so as to support her sister her dress got dirty. This was a good reason for mockery and condemnation from the side of Louisa and Ms. Bingley. They even tried to make men laughing of Elizabeth but Darcy has stopped this. Here, at Netherfield, people can not ignore Darcy’s opinion and women try to flatter and indulge him. Darcy knows that and sometimes uses his position to put somebody in his place. At the second middle of the novel it is revealed that Darcy convinced Bingley that Jane Bennet’s “heart was not likely to be easily touched” (Ch.35) and detached this couple with the help of Bingley’s sisters.

Rosings Park. Lady Catherine was “engrossed by her nephews” and paid most of her attention to Darcy because she had some concerns about his good fortune and her daughter, Miss De Bourgh. She spoke to him often, tried to teach and advise him but Darcy was able to repulse her. Despite superior social status of Lady Catherine Darcy “looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s ill-breeding” (Ch.31). Darcy does not look to be exposed to the authority of Lady Catherine. At Rosings Park Darcy has made a proposal to Elizabeth but “he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride” (Ch.34). Here Darcy is shown as he is, I mean that he revealed his real nature and reasoning, he stressed the significance of social status and reputation, inferiority of Elizabeth’s family. He was as self-confident as it becomes to the nobles. As a result Darcy receives a reject and some information for reflection. This event has made a dramatic influence on Darcy – his pride was so wounded, his ego was aggrieved but it forced him to change his philosophy and allowed us to see another Darcy in Pemberley.

Pemberley. In this place we again see Darcy as he is. But it is quite another man, he was able to realize all his wrong beliefs, to escape from his prejudices, he learned how to perceive people as they are and neglect inferior social status of those he likes. Obviously, it was not easy for him to converse as equals with Gardiners, representatives of tradespeople – “he was surprised by the connection was evident; he sustained it, however, with fortitude” (Ch.43). Darcy overcame his vanity and there is no excess of it in him anymore. Later he even condescends to help the family of Mr. Bennet in resolving their internal affairs and saving their reputation by neglecting his pride while negotiating with Wickham. On account of this change Elizabeth falls in love in this Darcy. Her feeling evolves from hate to love. Pemberley is the most interesting place for realizing how Darcy has changed.

Finally, we have new Darcy. He was brought up in the society where social status, wealth and reputation. His upbringing does not allow him to love and marry woman of low social status, whose family does not have perfect reputation in addition to very modest marriage portion for their daughters. This is the way how the society impacted him – he has lots of prejudices, some of which he is to overcome in future. Love has made Darcy another man, it forced him to get rid of his prejudices due to their subjectivity, it forced him to overstep his pride and vanity. Elizabeth has opened his eyes and Darcy has opened her ones for his turn.

Apparently, society forms people’s prejudices and impacts individuals’ philosophy but people are to learn how to overcome their prejudices and make a step towards deeper understanding of the world and each other. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a good example for everybody – he has realized his prejudices and coped with them and found the way to subdue his pride.  

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