Rosie J. Wrote:
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> You can make an argument about Austen's characters
> not liking London society, but in the case of
> Darcy in particular, we do know, from Colonel
> Fitzwilliam, that he intended to go back to
> London, which would have been for the height of
> the season. (I have a slight pet peeve about the
> assumption that Darcy hated London society. It's
> not a bad interpretation, but I've yet to find a
> line in the novel that unequivocally confirms it.
> He seems to have spent an awful lot of time there
> for a guy who doesn't like being there.)
I agree! Yes, one could make a case that Darcy does not like London, but as you say, he's no stranger to the place. I interpret him as appreciating both the values of town and country.
He is a man of the world, clever and well-read. Certainly, he would enjoy the theater and music of the city that is largely unavailable in his beloved Derbyshire. Also, since it's a three-day journey to London, he cannot just flit between them. Once he is at home, he stays put for awhile and soaks up the joys of nature and solitude. (Yes, I know there were smaller nearby metropolises about Derbyshire. But only London was London.)
He seemed to think it was important that his shy sister be comfortable in the city, too, because he set up an establishment there with her companion/governess. Probably much more convenient for music and art and other lessons, all the polishing an accomplished young lady needed. But, when he married, Georgiana settled in to Pemberley as her home, too, with Elizabeth and her truly sisters.
I think you could argue that outgoing and lively Elizabeth liked the country more and went to London only as she must, as the wife of a wealthy landowner. She was a country girl bred while Darcy's position gave him responsibilities and tied him to the city. He could never completely escape it.
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> You can make an argument about Austen's characters
> not liking London society, but in the case of
> Darcy in particular, we do know, from Colonel
> Fitzwilliam, that he intended to go back to
> London, which would have been for the height of
> the season. (I have a slight pet peeve about the
> assumption that Darcy hated London society. It's
> not a bad interpretation, but I've yet to find a
> line in the novel that unequivocally confirms it.
> He seems to have spent an awful lot of time there
> for a guy who doesn't like being there.)
I agree! Yes, one could make a case that Darcy does not like London, but as you say, he's no stranger to the place. I interpret him as appreciating both the values of town and country.
He is a man of the world, clever and well-read. Certainly, he would enjoy the theater and music of the city that is largely unavailable in his beloved Derbyshire. Also, since it's a three-day journey to London, he cannot just flit between them. Once he is at home, he stays put for awhile and soaks up the joys of nature and solitude. (Yes, I know there were smaller nearby metropolises about Derbyshire. But only London was London.)
He seemed to think it was important that his shy sister be comfortable in the city, too, because he set up an establishment there with her companion/governess. Probably much more convenient for music and art and other lessons, all the polishing an accomplished young lady needed. But, when he married, Georgiana settled in to Pemberley as her home, too, with Elizabeth and her truly sisters.
I think you could argue that outgoing and lively Elizabeth liked the country more and went to London only as she must, as the wife of a wealthy landowner. She was a country girl bred while Darcy's position gave him responsibilities and tied him to the city. He could never completely escape it.