Darcye letter to Elizabete
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This page is intended as background, reference material for readers of the passionate passages of Pride and Prejudice and other pages at the Male Voices in praise of Jane Austen web site.
The letter is from Chapter 35, and was written after Elizabeth had demolished him during his proposal at the Hunsford parsonage. Given what Elizabeth had been led to believe, her actions at that time were noble, just, and brave. - Given the truth, they were merely brave. This letter was Darcy's attempt to set the record straight, and he does that admirably.
To me, the letter is a sample of Jane Austen's writing at her best. Notice how the letter begins with a controlled fury, but it is the fury of a lover toward his beloved. That is to say, the first paragraph is all anger and yet says nothing that can give offence - nothing that would later require an apology. Notice also, that, throughout, Darcy manages to praise Elizabeth and to acknowledge the value of her opinion even while holding steadfastly to his own - masterful! Finally, notice the evolution of Darcy's feelings during the composition of the letter; this letter begun in a fury ends in an expression of love, at least the only expression that can be allowed him under the circumstances.