2010 Breeding Snobbery: Reassessing Mr. Darcy's Ideals As Jane Austin establishes, through the voice of Mrs. Bennet, "...Lizzy doesn't lose much by following his fancies; for he is a very disagreeable and horrible man, not at all worth agreeing to” (Austen 9). It forms the general consensus on the feeling that a majority of the characters have for Mr. Darcy throughout Pride and Prejudice. Cold, rude, arrogant and snobbish are what many characters consider Darcy to be due to his actions towards society and, in particular, towards Elizabeth, Jane and Wickham throughout the story. At the beginning of the tale, Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth because of his premature prejudices against her appearance and her "inferior relations" (8). However, by the end of the story, he transforms into a more empathetic person. Disobeying Lady Catherine de Bourgh's wishes, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth. When Darcy realizes that he does not need to follow the strict rules of societal rank he learned during his childhood in the way he obeys them, he experiences a mental awakening. Darcy believes his principles are moral and correct; however he does not take into account the emotions and feelings of others. This causes him to act snobbish while still considering himself righteous. Once Darcy overcomes the flaws in his belief, he realizes that he has the freedom to marry whoever he wants. Although initially very damaging and, in the opinion of other characters, evil, Darcy's psychological awakening creates a spiritual reevaluation in him, which has a significant impact on the story as a whole. Throughout Pride and Prejudice, a majority of the characters view Darcy as a social elitist due to the events of the rising action plot of Nov...... middle of paper ......added to the idea that Darcy and Elizabeth are going to get married. Each aspect leads to the resolution of the story. Fitzwilliam Darcy begins Pride and Prejudice as an arrogant and authoritarian elitist. He feels that everyone is beneath him and that everyone must obey his orders. When he imposes this attitude on Elizabeth, she does not insult or attack him, but challenges him. Elizabeth forces Darcy to look inside himself and reevaluate his character and personality for the first time in his life. This triggers a psychological awakening in him which causes a re-evaluation of his principles dating back to his childhood. Darcy then transforms into a more humble and less proud person. Through this change, Darcy is able to realize who he truly is and that he should, ultimately, be with Elizabeth out of mutual attraction and love..