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Jane was the most mild, kind and modest girl in this novel. Her character is vividly showed in many parts of the novel. “Compliments always take you (Jane) by surprise, and me (Elizabeth) never” and “ Oh, You (Jane) are a great deal too apt you know, to like people in general, you never see a fault in any body, all the world are too good and agreeable in your eyes. I (Elizabeth) never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.” (George Saintsbury 194)We can see from here that it is quite natural for Jane, so kind and innocent, falls love with the pleasant and simple Bingley. She adored Bingley very much. But her tranquility and introversion nearly consumed her felicity. Jane was so excessively demure that even whenher heart was fluttering with romantic passion, her manner showed only genteel pleasure and politeness. It was generally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference whichshe had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength of a feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her from the suspicious of the impertinent. Jane cherished her feelings towards Bingley, yet she chose to conceal it. She tried to control her passion, lest anyone find it. Darcy, therefore, could detect no attachments from her serene appearance and forms the idea that Bingley was involved in an unrequited love. Then, great efforts were ensured to separate Bingley from Jane.
Having been informed of Bingley’s departure, Jane was in great distress. But she pretended to be all right and said nothing about her sadness. Her weakness and obedience had been thoroughly exposed now. “ ‘You doubt me’, cried Jane, slightly coloring “Indeed you have no reason. He may Ilive in my memory as the most amiable man of my acquaintance, but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or fear, and nothing to reproach him with. Thank God! I have not that pain. A little time therefore – I shall certainly try to get the better.’” That’s all her interpretation and solutions to the wound of love, “ a little time” (Jane Austen 134) can ease her mind, cure her wound. What a passive attitude towards love it is! They finally got married and lived happily ever after, which were the results of Darcy and Elizabeht’s efforts. As I analyzed before that Wickhame and Lydia’s marriage represents capitulation to personal claims. It is difficult to fit Bingley and Jane into this pattern because immobility, not capitulation or progressive adjustment, characterizes them until they are united by outside forces. They may, however, be connected to the pattern by noting that they possess traits necessary for adjustment but do not see this until it is pointed out to them. They are also related to the pattern by their inability to assert personal claims and res |
