Getting Darcy's Attention -- Ch.11 Pride & Prejudice Discussion

It is with some agony that we watch Caroline Bingley as she desperately tries to catch Darcy's attention. She does everything - from turning down a game of cards to picking up the second volume of the book that Darcy is reading. Knowing that Darcy is not much for dancing, Caroline tries to gain favor with Darcy by speaking out against the idea of having a ball at Netherfield. Still unsuccessful in catching Darcy's attention, Miss Bingley goes so far as to put her "elegant figure" to use, walking about the room, hoping to catch Darcy's eye. When even this fails, one final effort is called in; Caroline gets Elizabeth Bennet to walk the room with her. Finally, Darcy looks up and puts his book down; but one might wonder: Has Miss Bingley really accomplished anything towards her goal in tearing Darcy's attention from his book, if she has only managed to turn his attention to Elizabeth Bennet?

Darcy is Smitten with Elizabeth --Pride & Prejudice Ch. 10 Discussion

It might be an interesting thought to speculate how things would have been different if Darcy had simply danced with Elizabeth back in Chapter 3. Having injured her pride by refusing to dance with her, Darcy became - in Elizabeth's eyes - a man who could only hold her in contempt.

The result of Darcy's action at Meryton has informed every interaction between the two, at least as far as Elizabeth is concerned. She believes that Darcy despises her, and on account of this, Elizabeth cares very little about what Darcy thinks about her. She does not behave in such a way as to impress him or to attempt to endear herself to him. (One might observe such obvious behavior in one Caroline Bingley.) Elizabeth does not "put on any appearances" before Darcy, and all of this comes together to lead Darcy to find himself more and more "in some danger" of this woman -- "were it not for the inferiority of her connections" (Ch. 10 pt 9).

What I find amusing in all of this - as Darcy finds himself falling more and more for Elizabeth - is that, had he simply danced with her at Meryton, the entire picture would have been completely changed. From that point until now, Elizabeth would have behaved differently, would more than likely have been less intriguing to him, and Darcy would have felt himself "in no danger" of possessing feelings for Elizabeth.

Do you agree? Or do you have different thoughts on this matter?

Great Book Club Salutes

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Quotation Discussion --Pride & Prejudice Ch.10

The power of doing any thing with quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance. -- Darcy, Ch. 10 pt 4

Darcy here speaks of his friend, Bingley. Earlier, Bingley told Mrs. Bennet that should he resolve to quit Netherfield, he should be completely gone in five minutes. In other words, Bingley prided himself in that whatever direction he should set mind, he possessed a determination to immediately follow through. (Is this not how he acquired Netherfield in the first place?)

Darcy points out that this is (indirectly) a boastful attitude. Such pride in doing things quickly often proceeds by sacrificing quality and (necesssary) attention to detail, which a more reasonable pace might afford.

The defect is not unique to Bingley. What application might you share using Darcy's words?