Day Two of Discussion

Here's our big question of the day for Chapters 7 -10, and here's a rough transcript of our discussion.

Why is Darcy attracted to Elizabeth, and why can't she see that he's so attracted to her?

Darcy focuses on her eyes, but there's more than just a physical attraction; there's something mysterious about her.

He does try to cover up his feelings for her; the only reason that he would be looking at her is that he finds something wrong. Look at page 50.

Making eye contact with someone gives you a deep connection with someone. He sees something different in her from all the other young women.

He likes the fact that she is opinionated. She can bicker with him.

She's unlike the other girls who might be smitten with him; when he looks at her and they almost make eye contact, she doesn't run over to him. She makes him make the move. There's a thrill of the chase.

Look at their conversation about the accomplished woman in Chapter VIII. Bingley points to a blue print that makes a woman accomplished: she can sing, draw, dance. It's a mold.

Darcy adds something new and progressive: he agrees with Bingley's definition but adds a new dimension: "improvement of her mind by extensive reading." Reading is a more serious pursuit; it gives a woman different perspectives of the world. Reading gains you entry into different worlds.

Look at Chapter X, when they talk about persuasion. Their thoughts, though in opposition, and language mirror one another. Only the two of them share this space verbally. No one has the capacity to discourse with them.

The fact that Elizabeth isn't flashy or showy attracts Mr. Darcy to her.

She also catches his eye when she arrives in Netherfield. He thinks about what she did for Jane and notes "the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion." He's attracted to her.

So, why isn't she aware of his affection for her?

He looks down upon her, and she gossips about him. She put him in a different category.

She doesn't think of him as a possible option from get go.

His arrogant nature is something that she wants to avoid; she doesn't want to pursue him.

She misreads him. Maybe she doesn't want to be hurt by him and raise her family's hopes for their union.

She's like her mom, who immediately writes him off.