Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth's change of views in Darcy- chapter 43

During this chapter a lot of things occur that cause Elizabeth's

feelings to change - towards Darcy and also regarding Georgiana.

The chapter begins with Lizzy and the Gardiners visiting Pemberley

Woods - Darcy's grand home in Derbyshire. Beforehand, she believes Mr

Darcy to be proud, stiff and arrogant. Once they arrive at Pemberley,

she is immediately struck with a change of feeling. The beauty the

place possesses shows just how much she thinks of Pemberley; 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.'

Lizzy is nervous about meeting Darcy again, as the last time they saw

each other was when he gave her his letter detailing why he had tried

to stop Bingley from liking Jane, and also why he disliked Wickham so

intensely. However, she has been assured that Darcy is not residing at

his home at the present time.

The first person they meet at Pemberley is Mrs Reynolds, the

Housekeeper. She is very respectable and civil towards the party. At

once she shows them to the dining parlour, where Lizzy is amazed at

the beauty and elegance of the inside of Pemberley. She actually shows

signs of regret towards not accepting Darcy's proposal. '"And of this

place," thought she, "I might have been mistress."' She then remembers

that if she were Mrs Darcy she would not have been allowed to have the

Gardiners visit, as they are considered lower class. This brings her

back to reality.

At length, the characters begin to talk about Darcy. Mrs Reynolds is

ecstatic about her master; she is obviously extremely fond of him. She

calls him 'a very handsome gentleman', and Elizabeth agrees he is.

Once knowing that Lizzy is acquainted with Darcy, Mrs Reynolds becomes

a lot friendlier. She says things that surprise Lizzy - according to

the housekeeper she has 'never had a cross word from him in her life'.

He is, in her opinion, and always will be 'the sweetest-tempered, most

generous-hearted boy in the world.'

The Gardiners, who are intrigued by the Darcy family, ask about his

younger sister Georgiana. Mrs Reynolds thinks that Miss Darcy is 'the

handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so accomplished.' This

surprises Lizzy because Wickham told her that Georgiana was proud and

conceited. However, she is coming to realise that not everything

Wickham says is true.

Again, Darcy's image occupies Elizabeth's mind. After hearing the way

his own servants talk about him ('what praise is more valuable than

the praise of an intelligent servant?') she wonders if