This predicament is serious enough to prevent him from sharing his true feelings with Elizabeth for some time. .
Having observed Darcy at the dance and overheard his telling Bingley "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me" (8), Elizabeth has decided that Darcy himself is indeed rude and not worthy of her attention. This is an opinion she will hold to tightly throughout the book. .
Both characters have immediately pass judgment on the other, centering on the sensitive issue of class. Darcy feels Elizabeth is beneath him ,therefore unworthy of his attention. Elizabeth is hurt by this assessment, and decides Darcy is a rich snob, also unworthy of her attention. Different class situations, same assessment. Ironically, neither of their initial feelings will prove accurate, as is evidence by their eventual engagement at the climax of the book.
Pressure to marry a husband to secure a safe future hangs over each of the girls in this novel. The expectation for a woman to accept the first good offer that comes along is quite evident. Elizabeth realizes, though, that acting in such a manner could ensure her the same fate as her parents: a loveless marriage. She seems determined to seek out true love at any cost. .
I feel Darcy illustrates similar qualities regarding marriage, which is one of the first signs we get in the novel that perhaps the two are a better match than we are initially lead to believe. Darcy certainly has had the opportunity to marry by now, as is evident by the socially acceptable Caroline Bingley throwing herself at him so blatantly, to no avail. .
Darcy is reluctantly becoming more interested in Elizabeth's company, stating "Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked" (50). .
I find the plot very ironic at this point. Elizabeth needs to marry, and by all means should be pursuing Darcy with all her mite to secure the future of herself and her family.
