The Far And Near
The Far and Near
There is a short, yet significant little scene that occurs near the middle of the second volume in Pride and Prejudice, involving Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The chapter plays an important role, being prelude to Darcy’s first proposal to Elizabeth. The scene is set in Kent, at Hunsford, during Elizabeth’s visit to her friend, Charlotte. Through this part of the novel, can the feelings, intentions- especially of Mr. Darcy’s, and relationship between the two main characters be made known, from both far and near.
Elizabeth is alone at Hunsford, when Darcy calls. With only the two, it is clear to see the development of character. Mr. Darcy stays. After an unsuccessful attempt to start a conversation, Elizabeth left the “trouble of finding a subject to him.” The subject Mr Darcy chooses is rather trivial, and he begins by a casual observation of the house. Moving smoothly from his opening phrase, Darcy remarks,
“It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy distance of her own family and friends.”
By breaching the topic of distance in so very round about a way, there is no suspicion of any motive behind the comment Mr. Darcy’s true reason for asking, perhaps, was to see whether it could be within his power to move Elizabeth away from Longbourn to somewhere as far as Pemberley. Also, to observe and reckon her level of attachment to her home and socially undesirable family, Elizabeth’s response to Darcy was not the assentment he hoped to hear, neither was it a negative response. He answer was well-thought out, and moreover marked her intelligence- one of the traits that had formed Darcy’s admiration for her. She replies,
“The far and the near must be relative, and depend on many varying circumstances.
Elizabeth asserts her opinions by explaining that had there been fortune and easy means of travelling, distance would be short indeed. However, the...
Please login to view the full essay...