Pride and Prejudice: A Man’s Perspectives and Confessions

I have to confess that I have not read Jane Austen’s most touted work, “Pride and Prejudice”.

I have seen two screen adaptations of this book, one made in 2005 as a movie starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett, the lead character in the story, and another, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle playing the roles of Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, as recently as this afternoon.

I should confess that I initially considered the story to consist of a subject matter which few men would indulge in and derive pleasure from reading about. Consequently, my first views about the book were biased. In addition, the girls who I know loved this book, usually admired Mr. Darcy, the misunderstood male protagonist in the story who is an object of much prejudice and who is seen as wearing too much pride on his own shoulders for his own good. These acquaintances and views of the book indeed coloured my mind as I sat down to see the movie first, and indeed, these themes of “pride” and “prejudice” are rather more subtle throughout the story, even as the main agenda seems hopelessly connected rather more to the events surrounding the circumstances in which Elizabeth and Darcy meet, come apart, fall in love again, and eventually tie the knot. The travails of Elizabeth do not encompass merely her and Darcy, but a whole barrage of characters, each of who lends a new dimension to the story. Like other evolved and refined literature, Pride and Prejudice is not about specific individuals alone, but also a great deal about value systems and society. In specific, I should say that different people in different walks of life should identify with different characters in the plot. I for one know of some nervous mothers who would put Mrs. Bennett to shame, some women who would make Lydia look like a saint and a few men who would make Mr. Darcy look sociable.

Now, I have to make a third confession: that I was more preoccupied with Keira Knightley than the character of Elizabeth Bennett in the 2004 screen adaptation. This is not an unusual phenomenon, given the charms of someone like Knightley. In the BBC version, however, I really discovered the culture which Austen intended to convey and paint a portrait of. This, I felt, was lacking in earnest, in the 2004 adaptation. It is the image of England conveyed in earnest, by the middle class Bennett family and the girls of the house seeking noble company, amidst a nagging, nervous mother, a disciplinarian and sometimes lax father, and a neighbourhood filled with people who were variously genteel people, ascendancy, noblility and vanity personified. Not to mention the officers who seem to have more time to socialize than the socialites themselves.

It is in discovering this old British culture that I have found some energy to write down what I think, if only to crystallize a myriad of thoughts about a superlative feature production, which seems to have gained a lot of respect from fans of Austen’s original work, for its authenticity. Aside these thoughts, what also crossed my mind was that a portrayal of the British culture of the time and the travails of young women seeking eligible and noble partners in life and society, were probably better portrayed by an accurate video representation than a book. Although the prudes may disagree, the pressure on one’s mind to peruse the instances and hints given in books which entail the plot therein contained, are taken away when one sees an on-screen adaptation of a book. It is of course assumed that the adaptation itself should be faithful enough, unlike a certain “Bride and Prejudice” I heard not-so-rave reviews of.

Those of you who have read the book or seen the movies should probably suspect that the initial idea that this story was applicable more to women than to men holds true in most cases. However, seeing it all from a man’s perspective, I couldn’t help notice the values inculcated in some of the male characters and some of the ideals presented. I shall deal in specific with the characters of Messrs. Darcy, Bingley, Wickham and Bennett.

Darcy is a shy, introverted young man who seems too proud for conversation and social interaction. A man of principles, he is often misunderstood, well meaning but whose remarks and behaviour are accepted as if they issued forth as criticism would from his mouth. His affections for Elizabeth are indeed withheld from his friends from the start, until subtle persuasion is used to obtain hints and insights into his mind and his feelings for her. He is concerned that things should be in their respective place and that everyone should get their due, which somehow is never simply expressed in the movie. Instead, the thought is introduced by a combination of Mr. Darcy’s running what are possibly dialogues inside his head, and in addition, his deeds favouring at different times, Wickham, Bingley, Elizabeth, Lydia and the Bennett family. There is a lesson in his success and his ability to keep his pride as few men can. Perhaps the lesson is more subtle than one can imagine at the outset. Although the characters are very much in line with Austen’s world view, it behooves us to understand some of these ideas so that we ourselves may benefit and enrich our own lives.

Darcy’s character is one of struggle, a struggle against oneself, others and principles. A prudishness exists in him which rarely trespasses the careless ways of most of the Bennett sisters or even Mr. Bennett. A result of this prudishness in him is his disposition to either speak important things (which, as Elizabeth mentions as having the ability to stun the whole hall in a ball room) or not speak of anything at all. While his opinions about things which he regards well of (as with things he does not regard highly of) are characteristically median, it is this equanimity which performs both a function of diplomacy and of some kind of logical convenience. There is something in the reasoning of Mr. Darcy which I feel I strike a chord with, and it wouldn’t surprise me if I should find myself that way, looking from outside me, at myself. However, the dynamism which is so much a feature of Mr. Darcy is something which lacks in many men who are informed about their alternatives as well as their principles.

It is not unusual that such a man is a good provider and protector (which is also in good measure owed to the considerable wealth of his father) and a man principled enough to meet the public eye with a stern countenance. Such a thing is somehow preferred by a sensible woman who has the intelligence and wit to be sufficiently independent, in whose mind there is strangely a desert and in whose heart is the need to find an oasis of comfort. In short, Darcy is favoured by women whose world view includes a man in it, who is capable, who is a provider and who is intelligent and driven by principles. My fourth confession comes through here, that despite his faults, Darcy is a man to be looked up to, even by other good men. Perhaps that statement fulfils the irony that good men remain good until they meet one like themselves. I had this inkling that Darcy was a kind of good man who would remain good despite the person involved. Such a thing is naturally very desirable in a man, for a woman.

There is also an abruptness in Darcy’s behaviour as rendered in the movie, which makes a pleasant foil for the foppery and the idealistic prudishness of Victorian society, which is both steeped in social structure despite its own good judgement, and which lends to the individuals who interact therein, often an air, with precious little in terms of substance. Fairly often, there is enough worthless foam from the mouth to make one flee, and flee is what Mr. Darcy does, in his own way. This abruptness may not please everyone, but may mean in all correctness the intended civility, and not the apparent civility, which is expected in most of these social interactions and gatherings. Darcy’s chief characteristics of being principled, independent, wealthy, well meaning add to his character, while his lack of social assertiveness and his tendency to stonewall, his inability to care for others’ opinions about him, all lend to him an air of pride. Whether this pride is an unjustified one, is one of the chief themes in the story. The discovery of this fact that it is a justified pride of a nobleman and not a false one, is what drives Elizabeth Bennett to love him and accept his proposal for marriage, toward the end of the story.

Mr. Bingley is Darcy’s companion and friend. He is a nobleman himself, but is often given to the opinions and the direction which Darcy imposes on him, and is in this sense, dependent. He is affable and appreciative of most people he meets, and is not quick to find faults. While this makes him many friends, it also makes his select set of trusty friends smaller. Bingley is shown as an excitable and dashing young man, who seeks the eldest of the Bennett sisters, Jane, in society and eventually in marriage. As Elizabeth’s older sister, Jane is a rather idealistic lady, who is somehow practical at the same time. She is often wishfully positive about people and their actions, and this leads her to come across as not being genuine in her affections. In character, she is more careful than Elizabeth and not as outspoken, knowing her stature and behaving as it demands. She secures Bingley’s affections early, since he is a simple and principled young man with no regrettable habits, seeking a sociable and decent young woman. Bingley shows his pliability by being directed to redirect his attentions away from Jane Bennett, who Darcy feels is not entirely in favour of spending her life with Bingley. Bingley’s characteristic warmth and his good fortune and wealth make him a palpable hit with the Bennett family, and he is perhaps the most likeable male character in the story, an almost complete contrast from Darcy, who everyone believes is almost too pride to go around in society.

Bingley is staid to Jane and returns towards the end of the story when the mess created by Darcy between Jane and Bingley is cleared by Darcy himself. In specific, the feature adaptation of 2005 made this moment fairly dramatic: almost unexpectedly and unnecessarily dramatic. The BBC version is rather more kind to Jane’s nerves: a small whisper and gesture prevails in the place of an animated wedding ring transfer process. Bingley is a likeable man, but perhaps with too many decisions left to fate. He is not decisive and is appreciative even of people who may mean to take advantage of him. In essence, his goodness is perhaps well entrusted with Darcy, whose principled caution pulls him through. In caring for his close friend, Darcy established Bingley’s worth, as well as the strength of their friendship.

Wickham, the problem child of the story, is introduced as an acquaintance of Darcy and an enlistee in the British Army. The farcical excitement surrounding officers in uniform, the empty promises of love and marriage between officers and expectant and growing maidens and the feisty behaviour of Lydia are all to be beheld, in his connection. Wickham grows through a childhood of providence to defy his father’s and master’s plans for him as a clergyman, and instead enlists in the army. Darcy’s providence and his faith in his childhood friend is perhaps misplaced, since Wickham turns out to be an individual with questionable values, who is both licentious as well as a callous spendthrift. This image of Wickham is, however, concealed from the public view, where his affability and skill of language and manner earn him a name amongst women in society.

Wickham is verily portrayed as the smiling villain of the story, in whose smile is hidden the many faults and sins of his existence. Although steady for his part and although not always culpable, his character also carries a desirable man’s portrait, with social connections and a suave charm which is coveted by women who seek companionship. Through his connections, he is able to forge favourable relationships. Wickham is also sometimes given a raw deal, and despite his intentions for Lydia, is made to look as if his past involvements with money lenders and women alike have tarnished his image beyond repair, and as if his involvement with Lydia is devoid of a genuine love, and is more tending toward a man of questionable morals who indulges in carnal pleasures at the expense of girls many years younger to him.

In his charm, Wickham enraptures Elizabeth Bennett initially, and their social interactions show a great deal of civility and charm, perhaps because of two reasons: because of his knowledge of Elizabeth’s closeness to Darcy after her visit to Pemberley, and his lack of proper judgement about her intelligence. Indeed, the subject of Elizabeth’s intelligence and better judgement is a topic of discussion which should entail a more detailed view of her relationship with Darcy, for which reason, I intend to discuss it on another occasion. However, Wickham’s relationship with Elizabeth turns impersonal although affable, at the insistence of the former that they should be friends. Wickham’s elopement with Lydia seemed to owe more to Lydia’s marital ambitiousness, lack of restraint and her loose morals; however, his interest was indeed sustained by her favours to him.

To discuss the last in the list, but by no means the least, Mr. Bennett. An aging father of five daughters, concerned about the behaviour of his smallest daughters and his lack of an heir to his property, Mr. Bennett is a serious and principled man, who shows occasional flashes of uproarious humour and keen sarcasm. His mannerisms are sedate; he values the intelligence and virtue of his two eldest daughters and detests his wife’s emotional tantrums. He is a practical man who is faced with the daunting prospect of seeing all his daughters enter society, and despite their lack of guidance, find the man of their choice. If Pride and Prejudice is all about marriage, then this is the man who really makes many of the decisions in it. There are many appreciable aspects of Mr. Bennett’s character. He does not influence his children into doing things the way he likes it. Instead, like a father, he merely advises them on their actions, the course of their actions and the things to consider in light of the situation. He provides ample shelter from the storm to Elizabeth Bennett especially, who is clearly his favourite of the five girls. Mr. Bennett shows a great deal of ambivalence towards the fortunes of his family members, except his favourite daughters. Mr. Bennett comes across as a studied man, who knows his principles and his limits and how to enforce them. However, he is known to make mistakes. Lydia’s wild behaviour at balls and parties leads Elizabeth to suggest that her behaviour may disgrace the family one day in some unforeseen way. Although this is intelligible to Mr. Bennett, he considers that Elizabeth should be put in her place and not be too confident to preach so to her younger sisters. Perhaps Mr. Bennett was being perfectly practical, but conditioning Lydia was something he could have considered, in retrospect. Mr. Bennett is seen as a caring father who is willing to put up with the travails of having a bundle of nerves for a wife and at least two silly young girls for daughters, in order to make arrangements for his eldest and more intelligent daughters to have a life of comfort and love.

All these men are studies in contrasts, in what would seem to be a novel or movie best suited to an overwhelmingly female audience. However, if relationships are to be understood in the light of social systems which enforce morals and which involve practical things about people, it makes eminent sense to consider watching Pride and Prejudice. I daresay that my very biased view stands corrected in light of the excellent performances by all actors and that this film has made me think about some of the things I myself do and endorse, and to develop a set of infallible principles which will enrich my life and others’. I have no hesitation in saying that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennett are archetypes for a principled gentleman and a practical father respectively and that the social graces of Bingley are very preferred.

It could be said that each of us is a unique person who can be ill-characterized along the lines of these characters in a work of fiction. In essence, we may be able to find these characters inside us at different times. That said there are many things to be gained from this exercise in characterization with the bent of introducing people of different types and inclinations into a story, and I affirm this, that there are as many things to be learned by gentlemen or aspirants thereof from this movie or book, as there are things that women should learn from it. To close the post, I make this confession, that I have reconsidered the whole concept of marriage as I knew it, and wish and hope that I can make myself principled enough for an attractive, intelligent and kind young woman, sometime in the near future. I make an additional confession that I have little idea of how this can be accomplished in the middle of my other yearnings to improve myself socially, academically and financially.