Fitzwilliam Darcy, generally known as Mr. Darcy, is the wealthy, reserved master of Pemberley in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and the novel's male lead. His aloof manner and ill-judged first proposal to Elizabeth Bennet, in which his pride in his own rank shows through, nearly cost him her regard permanently, but subsequent acts of quiet generosity and a willingness to acknowledge his own faults reveal a genuinely principled character beneath the standoffish surface. Darcy's transformation from apparent arrogance to demonstrated humility, run alongside Elizabeth's own correction of her first impressions, is the engine of the novel's central romance and made him one of the most enduringly popular romantic heroes in English literature. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Narrative RoleSourced to the subject's own accountMale lead and Elizabeth's eventual husband, initially the story's apparent obstacle, later its resolution 1 Defining TraitSourced to the subject's own accountReserved, prideful exterior concealing genuine principle and a deepening capacity for humility 1 Narrative role (class)Sourced to the subject's own accountDeuteragonist / secondary lead 1 Connections
Character In
Source Mr. Darcy (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Sources
1. Mr. Darcy (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Brooding, reserved, and magnetic, Darcy initially deeply offends and vexes Elizabeth, but their paths diverge and his character deepens as the two grow closer and mend their differences.
Character section, income detail
Mr. Darcy is a wealthy, tall, and handsome young gentleman with an income exceeding £10,000 a year (equivalent to over £800,000 a year in relative income).
- Character In: Pride and Prejudice
View the Source Frequently Asked Questions
How wealthy is Mr. Darcy meant to be by modern standards?
The novel gives him over £10,000 a year, equivalent to more than £800,000 a year today.
Pride and Prejudice gives Mr. Darcy an income exceeding £10,000 a year, which the novel's own scholarship equates to over £800,000 a year in relative income today. He is also the owner of Pemberley, a large estate in Derbyshire that has been in the Darcy family for generations.
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