Second proposals
Posted by Jane Elizabeth on November 25, 1997 at 11:00:26:
In response to being asked twice..., written by Kate on November 24, 1997 at 22:35:15
I've read some essays, particularly from the height of the feminist/revisionist movement in the 70s, that really excoriate Austen for Lizzy's "humiliation." They feel that Austen gives Lizzy an incredible comeuppance, showing her to be wrong in her opinions, forcing her to humble herself before Mr. Darcy, and ending up with L. chastised and subdued. I think this is going to far, but your observation does fuel the fire. Lizzy believes that a rejection is serious and firm, yet later her own happiness will depend on Darcy essentially overlooking her first refusal. Once again she is proven wrong.
But I prefer to see this as showing Lizzy's growth, not her humiliation. She learns that all is not black and white and that human behavior has more subtlety than she realized.
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