Darcy's proposal

Darcy's proposal : an Analysis

• "She was suddenly... not a word"

It is quite an unexpected visit : while Elizabeth would rather hope to meet Cl. Fitzwilliam, whose company she enjoys, she is stunned to see Mr Darcy, who pretexts he wanted to make sure she was feeling better. As she truly bears a grudge on him since she believes he has done harm to (to harm/to do harm : faire du mal à) both her sister, and a friend of his, she answers him quite coldy. To her surprise, Mr Darcy seems unusually preoccupied and agitated as he goes to and fro the room.

• "after a silence... love you".

At last he reveals the reason why he has come to see her : he confesses that, in spite of all his efforts to repress/ to stiffle (étouffer) his feelings, he cannot go against them : not only does he love her truly, but he also admires her. This passage contrasts with Darcy's usual reserve... We only hear a passionate speaker here.

• "Elizabeth's astonishment... his suit"

She obviously sincerely did not expect such news. She is taken aback as she hears his words, and blushes. She is emotionally stirred. (remué)  However, as she gazes at him in wonder, he feels encouraged and goes on explaining why he tried to fight his feelings  : because of the "lowest" (social) rank of her family, their reputation, he could not set himself to propose.

• "In spite of ... receive" and
• "till, roused to resentment... done"

Two opposite feelings arise in her : on the one hand, she feels sorry for hurting his feelings as his love is not reciprocated.  Yet, when she realizes how much he openly "despises/ scorns" (mépriser) her family, anger/ a sense of humiliation overwhelms (envahir) her. She cannot forgive him such a disdain, such a contempt (mépris) towards her family.Yet she will try to contain herself (to compose herself) in order to stay calm and dignified.

The end...

• "He concluded... security"

What makes her even more furious is certainly his arrogance/his self-assurance : even though he confesses/ expresses/speaks out his dislike for her family, he still firmly believes that she will undoubtedly accept / He has no doubt as to whether she will accept his hand. He is so sure of his superiority that he assumes she has no other choice but / she should be glad and flattered to marry him. This is without counting on /forgetting about Elizabeth's strong temper / personality.

• "Such a circumstance... thank you"

Considering the "unequal" match between Elizabeth and Darcy, as regards her lack of rank and fortune compared to him, she admits she should feel thankful for his "offer"... However while she tells him straight away that his feelings are not reciprocated, we can feel her anger is rising as she carries on with what follows :

• "But I cannot... explanation"

She is being ironical / sarcastic here : she is "certain" that he will "recover" from being "rejected" all the more so easily as he only needs to remember his superiority on her, and all the arguments "against her family" which he just listed, to prove himself it was a wrong choice anyway.

• "Mr Darcy, who was leaning... attained it"

In spite of all his efforts to hide his surprise (as he apparently did not expect such an answer, believing she would accept him with gratitude) he has to lean against a wall and "compose" himself. The fact that he is so "pale" and so shocked proves how deep his feelings were and how frustrated and despaired he must be.  

• "The pause... rejected"

He asks Elizabeth the erasons why she so violently -and impolitely- turns him down.

• "But it is of small importance"

He does not want to admit how deeply he has been baffled. He is too proud.

• "I might as well... uncivil ?"

She replies in a most fierce (violent) way. She lets her anger burst out. She expresses herself openly/ She speaks out her thoughts. She reproaches him with insulting her as he mentioned the fact that he was -after all- willing to marry her in spite of her lower rank, her lack of fortune, her family bonds. She objects that she was not less "uncivil, rude" than himself.

• "But I have... sister ?"

She reproaches him with the fact that he tried to separate her sister from Mr Bingley, whereas they were in love with each other.

• "As she prononced... she continued"

On hearing this accusation, Mr Darcy is taken aback and deeply hurt, which proves that he did not expect such an accusation. Yet he doesn't try to defend himself.

• "I have every reason... kind"

She carries on expressing all her anger to him. It seems that she can't hold it any longer, that she must have been keeping her resentment for so long that she is now relieved to expose them to him. She may secretely hope that there will be a sensible, logical explanation to all her arguments. This scene proves that she doesn't not hesitate to speak out her feelings, she is straightforward, spontaneous, honest (which traits/ features he approves of as he is alike).

• "She paused, ... ridicule"

She now "attacks him"/ charges him on Mr Wicham's issue, whom she believes Darcy has betrayed (trahir) and unjustly/unfairly dipossessed of his property. She believes he has deceived (tromper) him -(a prejudice as she does not actually know the truth yet).

• "And this, cried Darcy... design"

Although he knows he is unjustly accused, Darcy does not care to defend himslef, nor deny the grounds on which he is supposed to be guilty. He considers it is too late, as Elizabeth has already made up her mind and is far too hasty and prejudiced in judging him. He replies that she is really too proud to listen to his words, so he prefers to remain silent.

...