Darcy paying for the wedding between him and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice is a pivotal moment that demonstrates the depths of his love and devotion to Elizabeth. Though it was uncommon at the time for the groom to bear the entire cost of the wedding, Darcy insists on doing so due to a combination of his wealth, his desire to make amends for previous wrongs, and the strength of his affection for Elizabeth. By analyzing Darcy’s motivations and the context of weddings in Regency England, we can understand why Austen made this choice for Darcy’s character.
Darcy’s Wealth Enabled Him to Pay
As a man of immense wealth and the master of the grand Pemberley estate, Darcy could well afford to pay for the entirety of his and Elizabeth’s wedding. His annual income of £10,000 a year was vastly more than the average income during the era. Furthermore, as the only son of his late parents, Darcy had inherited a great fortune and extensive property. Socially and financially, he was perfectly positioned to take on the costs of the wedding himself with ease.
Some key facts about Darcy’s wealth:
- His annual income of £10,000 was over 30 times the average income in Regency England
- Pemberley was one of the grandest estates in Derbyshire, demonstrating Darcy’s vast inherited wealth
- As the only son, Darcy was set to inherit his parents’ entire estate with no need to split it
- He had many resources at his disposal including tenants, land, and investments
- Paying for the wedding alone would hardly make a dent in Darcy’s fortune
With his tremendous assets and resources, Darcy could well afford to fund the wedding himself with no financial difficulty. This freed him up to decide to bear the full cost as a symbol of his dedication to Elizabeth.
Darcy Wanted to Make Amends and Demonstrate His Changed Character
Darcy’s insistence on paying for the entire wedding also ties into his desire to make amends for previous wrongs against Elizabeth and her family. His prior haughty behavior toward Elizabeth and his interference in Bingley’s courtship with Jane had damaged his standing. By generously paying for the wedding, he could demonstrate the sincerity of hischanged character as a humble, caring man.
Some key factors showing Darcy’s motivation to make amends:
- His previous proposals to Elizabeth had been rejected due to his past wrongs
- He regrets his former arrogance and disdain toward Elizabeth’s lower social status
- His actions separated Bingley and Jane, causing pain for Elizabeth’s beloved sister
- He knows Elizabeth previously disapproved of his behavior and character
- Paying for the wedding is a selfless act to prove his reformation
Darcy is a man who has learned from his mistakes and seeks to make things right. His reformed character compels him to offer a generous wedding as concrete proof to Elizabeth and her family of his changed ways.
Darcy’s Immense Admiration and Love for Elizabeth
Most importantly, Darcy’s determination to fund the nuptials stems from his powerful, unwavering love for Elizabeth. Despite initial conflict, she has won his whole heart, and he will spare no expense to make their wedding day special.
| Aspects of Darcy’s Admiration for Elizabeth | Examples from the Text |
|---|---|
| Her fine eyes and beauty | “But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she had hardly a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes.” |
| Her wit and liveliness of mind | “For the liveliness of your mind, I did.” |
| Her moral character and virtue | “I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit…I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.” |
| Her lack of fortune matters not to him | “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.” |
As the quotes demonstrate, Darcy is utterly captivated by Elizabeth’s wit, morals, intellect, and beauty. He pursues her with a singular devotion not dampened by her modest background. His immense love is the prime reason he takes every cost of their wedding upon himself.
Customs of Weddings in Regency England
While it was more traditional for a bride’s family to pay for or contribute to weddings in Regency England, Darcy’s choice was not unheard of. Among the upper classes, some key wedding customs included:
- Brides often wore their best dress rather than a specially made gown
- Morning weddings were preferred over evening
- Weddings often took place in a private chapel or the parish church
- Wedding cakes became popular, often with white icing
- Grooms sometimes provided a settlement or dowry upon the bride
- Wealthy grooms occasionally did pay all wedding costs
So while highly uncommon, Darcy’s decision to fund the wedding himself reflected his financial situation and intense devotion to Elizabeth. It was an extraordinary gesture befitting their unique love story.
Conclusion
In summary, Darcy’s payment for his and Elizabeth’s nuptials stemmed from a mix of his wealth, reform, and unconditional love. By shouldering the entire wedding cost, he could tangibly demonstrate the sincerity of his reformed character and the depths of his affections. Austen uses this pivotal romantic moment to cement Darcy and Elizabeth’s happiness after previous trials and tribulations. Darcy’s wedding gift symbolizes their future of financial security, harmony, and enduring love.