Elizabeth and Darcy

“‘She looks sickly and cross.--Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife.’” (Page 156)

This excerpt is key in showing how Elizabeth’s view toward Mr. Darcy has changed since their initial meeting. Throughout the novel, her attitude fluctuates. She goes from being intrigued by Darcy’s mysterious nature, to finding him detestable, to falling in love with him. Though she cannot seem to make up her mind, one thing is certain; she cannot prevent herself from thinking of him. From this, the reader observes that she is stern in her beliefs, yet biased (she likes him, but she doesn’t). I personally believe that Austen includes this remark in order to incorporate a little humor, not only into the novel, but into the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy. If this quote were not in the context that it is in, one would think that the speaker truly despised the person they were referring to. However, knowing that Elizabeth is speaking of Darcy, it seems to hold less weight. In fact, it seems that Elizabeth could be making this negative comment in order to avoid thinking of Darcy in a positive way.