In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, there are several memorable lines spoken by Mr. Darcy, the novel’s protagonist. I present several of them below in order of occurrence.
At first, Mr. Darcy is quite insufferable. Indeed, his haughty air is front and center in the initial quote. Continuing interactions with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the young woman who bewitches him, heart and soul, causes him to let down his guard, to offer her his hand in marriage—however badly done, and finally to utter this writer’s favorite line of all.
Enjoy!
“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.”
“I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love.”
“You either choose this method of passing the evening because you are in each other’s confidence, and have secret affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be completely in your way, and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire.”
“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”
