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Discreet Affections in Jane Austen’s World — 8 Comments

  1. Oh yes!

    As you allude to it in charlotte1s advice, another example of such a difficult situation was the Jane Bennet/Charles Bingley relationship. Depending on how strong this principle was applied in real life (see the opposite example of Lydia, Mrs. Bennet or even Caroline Bingley, depending on interpretation), Darcy’s interference was even more officious and wrong: He condemned Jane Bennet for behaving with the prefect propriety (not showing her feelings, especially to the outer world, until Bingley declares himself) wjhile also condemning the other Bennets for breakingthis rule of etiquette for young females.

      • Darcy’s “evidence” that Jane wasn’t interested was that she showed the same pleasant façade to everyone. He didn’t condemn Jane for her propriety, but for the same thing Charlotte cautioned against–showing too little interest toward the person she was interested in marrying. Remember, Darcy thought Elizabeth’s actions towards him indicated interest. Yeah, I know, the man was clueless, but he didn’t think Elizabeth’s action improper. He thought Jane equally pleased with everyone.

  2. I am just so glad I live in modern times although they’re not perfect. But we can be much more up front about our feelings and intentions. I am afraid I would rebel against all those rules.

  3. Plus, since Darcy had mixed feelings about his attraction to Lizzie AND he was naturally standoffish except around people he knew really well, that added to his inability to show how he felt in a way she’d notice.

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