| Darcy’s Crowd Offended Too
Written by Robbin
(4/13/2010 10:24 a.m.)
in consequence of the missive, Not excusing him, penned by Elbč
I think you make a great point. Darcy’s society may cultivate a completely different tone of manners and good breeding from Meryton in addition to the obvious differences wealth would give to the trappings of fashion and elegance. Miss Bingley & Crawford and their ilk are “determined supporter[s] of everything mercenary and ambitious” (MP, 44) and good manners are often by rote with little thought of putting others at ease and good breeding is little more than an avoidance of vulgarity. Yet, for all this, Darcy’s society is not a refuge for his boorish manners. The narrator says of Bingley & Darcy: “Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence.” (4) Continually giving offense everywhere suggests Darcy is doing something terribly wrong or neglecting to do something important as a matter of course. At least some folks in Darcy’s society find his manners just as offensive as they do in Meryton. (;D)
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