tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post5459267923968974015..comments2023-10-23T23:05:43.506-04:00Comments on Darcyholic Diversions: Laurel Ann Nattress: What's the Big Deal About Mr. Darcy?Barbara Tiller Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15237523278334072442noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-13192705947816251162012-11-21T19:15:13.343-05:002012-11-21T19:15:13.343-05:00I've read all of Austen's novels, and I fo...I've read all of Austen's novels, and I found Darcy to be my favorite of all her male characters. But does Darcymania as we know it today actually stretch back in time to the original publication of "Pride and Prejudice", or does it owe more to Colin Firth's wet-shirt scene in the television production, which isn't even in the book.<br /><br />As for film portrayals of Darcy, Firth is to that character as Connery is to Bond: the only legitimate question is, who is second-best? The same can be said for Jennifer Ehle and Elizabeth Bennett. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-64192220213661683642012-07-07T17:50:13.571-04:002012-07-07T17:50:13.571-04:00Great post LA! Another reason that we love to lov...Great post LA! Another reason that we love to love Mr. Darcy is that he is somewhat of a mystery man to the reader.JuneA**https://www.blogger.com/profile/09207979640749727941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-40785775458253591512012-07-05T21:17:05.091-04:002012-07-05T21:17:05.091-04:00I have just stumbled upon your blog. What fun! I...I have just stumbled upon your blog. What fun! I have been an avid reader of Jane Austen's novels for many years. I have read them many times over and never fail to pick up any prequels or sequels I find in the bookstores. <br /><br />To answer your question why I think Mr. Darcy is a romantic literary icon:<br /><br />He is handsome, rich and powerful and becomes interested in a woman who, we can imagine, reminds us of a little piece of ourselves. The arrogant, distant man transforms only because he comes to love an unsuitable (to society at that time) lady. Eventually, as she discovers the truth of his soul, readers do as well. I think his housekeeper at Pemberly said it best: he was "the sweetest, most generous-hearted boy in the world” and “I have never had a cross word from him in my life".PeggyLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-43279334556572440642012-07-05T11:38:35.097-04:002012-07-05T11:38:35.097-04:00Loved your post, Laurel Ann. I enjoy your blog too...Loved your post, Laurel Ann. I enjoy your blog too!<br /><br />Mr. Darcy has such a powerful presence and is still vulnerable. He is strong and enduring. Jane Austen did such a wonderful job of portraying him in a way that he draws us in and keeps us entranced and loving him. We want more and continue to read more or reread.<br /><br />Reading PnP and the many JAFF books has definitely changed my life.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing. Don't enter me in the giveaway for Laurel Ann's book as I already own it! Great book!Janet Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01904728146256943042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-67265592524926305192012-07-05T10:27:23.114-04:002012-07-05T10:27:23.114-04:00What I like about Darcy is that later in the story...What I like about Darcy is that later in the story you find out that he can be a caring person. He helps out when Lydia runs away and then you find out his feelings for Elizabeth and that he'd do anything for her.<br /><br />The first P & P movie I saw was the Keira Knightley version. Well, that's the only one I've really seen. I may have seen a little of the one with Colin Firth, but the other one got me interested in Austen stories.<br /><br />spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com<br />GFC follower - Michelle FidlerMichelle Fidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10285519745590239008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-89921925119506441822012-07-05T02:58:17.948-04:002012-07-05T02:58:17.948-04:00Thanks again Barbara for hosting me here at Darcyh...Thanks again Barbara for hosting me here at Darcyholic Diversions. It has been such fun to share my Darcy dilemma with your readers and read their reactions. <br /><br />I recently watched the 1980 P&P again after many years. In comparison to the Firth 1995 Darcy and the Macfayden 2004 version, it is very different. The production values are not as blingy as the later versions, but I do enjoy Elizabeth Garvie's Elizabeth, and Rintoul did play Darcy truer to the book! I find that whoever the first film version of Darcy is, he stays with you and is your favorite. <br /><br />Thanks again. Best wishes to the lucky winner of the signed copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It!Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-67198681977295716712012-07-05T02:51:20.571-04:002012-07-05T02:51:20.571-04:00We do learn about his capacity to love through his...We do learn about his capacity to love through his treatment and care of his sister Georgiana. The housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds does pile on the praise too. I just imagine Elizabeth listening in amazement, totally wide eyed. Seeing his portrait really solidified the impact of the man. Being at Pemberley and seeing the care that he gave to his staff, tenants and beautiful grounds totally won me over. It was a left, right punch from Austen for sure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-60365344814857066892012-07-05T02:46:11.235-04:002012-07-05T02:46:11.235-04:00Interesting observation. I have never thought of D...Interesting observation. I have never thought of Darcy as having a sense of humor, but you are correct. Elizabeth loves to tease him, and her takes is very well. Thanks for sharing kastrel, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-62705416941810303552012-07-05T02:43:50.935-04:002012-07-05T02:43:50.935-04:00The thought of Darcy and Collins as polar opposite...The thought of Darcy and Collins as polar opposites just struck me. They both make mistakes, but how they react and recover is the action of a true gentleman. Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-37696919729713062502012-07-05T02:41:55.031-04:002012-07-05T02:41:55.031-04:00Hi Brenna, Austen does not give us much of a physi...Hi Brenna, Austen does not give us much of a physical description of Darcy, but the first time I read the novel, I had a strong picture of him in my mind. Amazing. How does she do that? <br /><br />My favorite Darcy moment was when he hands Elizabeth the "be not alarmed, madame" letter. He presents it to her, asks her for the honor of reading it, then bows and walks away. What a great exit. The letter changes everything about her perception of him and herself. Brilliant. Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-39930323000198979082012-07-05T02:35:59.733-04:002012-07-05T02:35:59.733-04:00His complexity is our joy. Thanks you Austen.
I ...His complexity is our joy. Thanks you Austen. <br /><br />I too enjoy the different interpretations of the character by the actors who play him. I also like how Firth's Darcy unconsciously plays with his ring on his finger a lot when he is with Elizabeth! Rintoul's Darcy becomes very stiff when Elizabeth is near until they meet at Pemberley. Macfayden looks like a lost puppy in her presence. All interesting and different interpretations. Thanks for sharing.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-2383019210576827392012-07-05T02:31:18.180-04:002012-07-05T02:31:18.180-04:00Hi Heather, Austen made Darcy very real by showing...Hi Heather, Austen made Darcy very real by showing us his faults and his fine qualities. We can relate to him, and admire his personal development throughout the novel. Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-22826775482044016322012-07-05T02:28:16.166-04:002012-07-05T02:28:16.166-04:00No, indeed not up to my standards. He wishes. :) T...No, indeed not up to my standards. He wishes. :) Thanks for visiting Meredith.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-58289517754752919412012-07-05T02:27:24.210-04:002012-07-05T02:27:24.210-04:00Nice point Cary. The story is told through Elizabe...Nice point Cary. The story is told through Elizabeth's point of view. We learn everything about Darcy through his actions and what others say about him. I love this, and the fact that you all are so in tune to his character. What a group of enlightened Darcyholics we have!Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-82721942173635019032012-07-05T02:24:32.752-04:002012-07-05T02:24:32.752-04:00It is interesting to fathom that he is not sure th...It is interesting to fathom that he is not sure that Elizabeth will accept his second proposal. That quality of uncertainty is charming. That is another reason why I love him, literally of course! Thanks for sharing Samantha.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-65483360724278657892012-07-05T02:21:37.923-04:002012-07-05T02:21:37.923-04:00I totally agree Shannon. It is fun to read about o...I totally agree Shannon. It is fun to read about or encounter a Wickham, but a Darcy is the real prize. Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-88496622948633481292012-07-05T02:19:13.216-04:002012-07-05T02:19:13.216-04:00Thanks Sophia. I met this arrogant Darcy-like man ...Thanks Sophia. I met this arrogant Darcy-like man through work. Even though I am much older than him, it was interesting to be Elizabeth for 10 seconds. :)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-71665835402913249372012-07-05T02:16:30.037-04:002012-07-05T02:16:30.037-04:00Darcy could have any woman that he wanted, though,...Darcy could have any woman that he wanted, though, he chooses Elizabeth with no fortune and a questionable family. Being loved for who you are and not what you are, is indeed a fantasy. Austen knew this and played it out. Elizabeth's "tolerable" situation is even more serious in 1800's than now, so I appreciate his decision to choose to love her even more. Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-51493477817525343862012-07-05T02:11:17.819-04:002012-07-05T02:11:17.819-04:00He even admits that he was humbled by her!
"...He even admits that he was humbled by her! <br /><br />"By you I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You shewed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased." Ch 58<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />Thanks for sharing.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-86663048380344967602012-07-05T02:08:56.759-04:002012-07-05T02:08:56.759-04:00Darcy is indeed a man of integrity and honor. Two ...Darcy is indeed a man of integrity and honor. Two reasons I admire him so. Thanks for sharing Araminta18.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-53426409388978372822012-07-05T02:07:25.367-04:002012-07-05T02:07:25.367-04:00Hi June, selfless love is indeed the best. Luckily...Hi June, selfless love is indeed the best. Luckily, Elizabeth discovers his saving of her wayward younger sister Lydia by chance. I think it is one of the strongest reasons why she loves him. Thanks for sharing, LALaurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-64071457572265716512012-07-05T02:04:31.821-04:002012-07-05T02:04:31.821-04:00Hi Patricia, the character development of Darcy is...Hi Patricia, the character development of Darcy is indeed key to our own development of love for him. It parallels Elizabeth for me, something that Austen excelled at. Thanks for sharing.Laurel Ann (Austenprose)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07569869772159241024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-9080970567588509672012-07-03T22:05:00.963-04:002012-07-03T22:05:00.963-04:00I again wanted to thank you for posting, and for y...I again wanted to thank you for posting, and for your willingness to share your story. I WISH I had discovered Mr. Darcy as early as you did. I recently SAW the 1980 version of P&P. If I had seen it first I imagine that I would have felt much as you. As it was, I found it almost like a spoof of the story I had seen before, but I loved it nonetheless.<br /><br />But I LOVED your story of your interaction on the ?was it a date? That was great! Explaining my love of all things Austen, and in particularly Mr. Darcy, is still not easy. Even when trying to explain it to my husband..LOL..<br /><br />Thanks again. BarbaraBarbara Tiller Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15237523278334072442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-67591851661404804822012-07-03T14:03:08.250-04:002012-07-03T14:03:08.250-04:00Mr Darcy is a romantic literary icon because most ...Mr Darcy is a romantic literary icon because most girls at some point, would want to be with somebody like him. Him being mysterious and all makes him so attractive. Aside from this, he is also loyal and romantic in his own ways. He might not be expressive but he is loving to his family and friends.Rosellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4078409689570875027.post-28572542258870159482012-06-29T15:55:00.810-04:002012-06-29T15:55:00.810-04:00Looking over the posts, I appear to be the first m...Looking over the posts, I appear to be the first male commentor. Interesting...Anyway:I've read P&P at least five times, and yes, Elizabeth is one of the most captivating heroines ever. The thing is, a large part of what makes her captivating is her ongoing interaction with Mr. Darcy. He is the perfect obstacle to challenge every ounce of her will and determination, and even she she eventually realizes that he is the perfect opposite pole for all her light-hearted impetuosity. The consummate ease with which she handles the obsequious Mr. Collins is a telling example of how effortlessly she overmasters any lesser men: she blows the fawning prelate and his pretensions out of the water, and the reader would have to be oblivious not to realize that it is Darcy, and only Darcy, that will ever be able to match her.<br /><br />I guess if you are fond of Elizabeth (And who isn't?) you want to see her end up with the best. By a succession of selfless actions Darcy eventually proves to Elizabeth, and to the reader, that he is the best. That is how I see Darcy: as Elizabeth's best hope of love, security and happiness. And that is why Darcy is one of my favorite male characters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com