Show Me the Money!
Mr. Darcy's Pemberley Estate
“They gradually ascended for half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!” (Pride and Prejudice, 291)
During this era in Austen’s life, architecture and landscape went hand in hand with money and rank. And if any one of Austen’s characters possessed any of these, it was Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, earning 10,000 pounds a year. Although he entails all of this, it should be noted that money, rank, and class are three completely separate terms. Money can not buy rank, as rank is something that is passed on via familial lineage. Class refers to a meeting point between the two and is influenced monetarily. When readers first meet Mr. Darcy, he is introduced as a pompous, self-absorbed man who seems to possess a better-than-thou attitude. Lady Catherine de Bourgh describes him as having “respectable, honourable, and ancient, though untitled” paternal lines (Keymer, 392). Upon his first introduction in the novel he is quick to pass judgment on other characters, specifically the Bennet family and their lack of morals. Throughout the novel he is portrayed as a conniving individual. Officer Wickham is quick to tell the Bennets what an evil man Darcy is. He broadcasts how Darcy has cheated him of his rightful income upon the passing of Darcy’s father. In reality, the irony here lies in the fact that readers come to find out it is Wickham who is the philandering liar.
Elizabeth is scornful when she finds out that Mr. Darcy is responsible for deterring Mr. Bingley to court her sister. Throughout the first two-thirds of the novel, Mr. Darcy is looked upon with ill favor. He is seen as an antagonist who keeps pushing people away. However, it is Elizabeth’s trip to Pemberley, Darcy’s estate, where readers gain a better insight into Mr. Darcy’s personality. Although he has already tried to make amends with Elizabeth, and has provided her with a more than thorough explanation for his wrong doings, she is still unsure of his character.
Ironically, it is almost as Elizabeth breathes in Pemberley for the first time that not only she, but readers, too, have a change of heart for Mr. Darcy. It is comical to think that just the appearance of an estate can provoke such emotions. The above quotation is Elizabeth’s initial reaction to coming upon Pemberley. Readers have already been introduced to the notion that it is a house that people can tour given its grandiose architecture and picture perfect landscaping. Mr. Darcy prides himself in his estate; it “is a tribute to his own taste” (Duckworth, 280). In this day and age, taste went alongside manners. Readers soon find out that Mr. Darcy is not at all the man he seems, but a shy, quiet individual. It is his shyness that gives off his negative persona, not his ego stemming from his rank and social standing which readers first grew accustomed to. His staff is quick to tell Elizabeth and her family what a wonderful employer Mr. Darcy is, eventually causing Elizabeth and her family to reestablish trust with him.
To further teach moral codes, Austen lets readers know not to be quick to pass judgment on others, because people aren’t always what they seem.
During this era in Austen’s life, architecture and landscape went hand in hand with money and rank. And if any one of Austen’s characters possessed any of these, it was Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, earning 10,000 pounds a year. Although he entails all of this, it should be noted that money, rank, and class are three completely separate terms. Money can not buy rank, as rank is something that is passed on via familial lineage. Class refers to a meeting point between the two and is influenced monetarily. When readers first meet Mr. Darcy, he is introduced as a pompous, self-absorbed man who seems to possess a better-than-thou attitude. Lady Catherine de Bourgh describes him as having “respectable, honourable, and ancient, though untitled” paternal lines (Keymer, 392). Upon his first introduction in the novel he is quick to pass judgment on other characters, specifically the Bennet family and their lack of morals. Throughout the novel he is portrayed as a conniving individual. Officer Wickham is quick to tell the Bennets what an evil man Darcy is. He broadcasts how Darcy has cheated him of his rightful income upon the passing of Darcy’s father. In reality, the irony here lies in the fact that readers come to find out it is Wickham who is the philandering liar.
Elizabeth is scornful when she finds out that Mr. Darcy is responsible for deterring Mr. Bingley to court her sister. Throughout the first two-thirds of the novel, Mr. Darcy is looked upon with ill favor. He is seen as an antagonist who keeps pushing people away. However, it is Elizabeth’s trip to Pemberley, Darcy’s estate, where readers gain a better insight into Mr. Darcy’s personality. Although he has already tried to make amends with Elizabeth, and has provided her with a more than thorough explanation for his wrong doings, she is still unsure of his character.
Ironically, it is almost as Elizabeth breathes in Pemberley for the first time that not only she, but readers, too, have a change of heart for Mr. Darcy. It is comical to think that just the appearance of an estate can provoke such emotions. The above quotation is Elizabeth’s initial reaction to coming upon Pemberley. Readers have already been introduced to the notion that it is a house that people can tour given its grandiose architecture and picture perfect landscaping. Mr. Darcy prides himself in his estate; it “is a tribute to his own taste” (Duckworth, 280). In this day and age, taste went alongside manners. Readers soon find out that Mr. Darcy is not at all the man he seems, but a shy, quiet individual. It is his shyness that gives off his negative persona, not his ego stemming from his rank and social standing which readers first grew accustomed to. His staff is quick to tell Elizabeth and her family what a wonderful employer Mr. Darcy is, eventually causing Elizabeth and her family to reestablish trust with him.
To further teach moral codes, Austen lets readers know not to be quick to pass judgment on others, because people aren’t always what they seem.