Pride and Prejudice: A Pair of Loving Liars

Pride and Prejudice is one of the best known romance novels, spawning dozens of spin offs, reboots, and parodies. Yet, the lead couple of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy have become the subject of more and more debate and controversy, with critics examining the couple's courtship and circumstances surrounding their marriage. The early publication date of the novel does provide for some understanding of the behaviors of particular characters. Yet the elements of manipulation present in some of the characters, as well as the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy itself, shows a darker side to the classic story.

The most obviously manipulative character within the text is that of Elizabeth's mother, Mrs. Bennet. Her actions throughout the course of the novel are focused on manipulating both her daughters' lives and the lives of their love interests. This extra-manipulation that Mrs. Bennet is involved in impacts Elizabeth's and Darcy's relationship by providing one of the barriers. Darcy's disdain for Elizabeth's family is rooted in Mrs. Bennet's overt meddling in the relationship of Jane and Bingley and her expressed desire of gaining wealth by marrying her daughters off. The obvious manipulation of Mrs. Bennet expressed in her actions, thoughts, and interactions with others exemplifies what it means to have an extra-manipulation impact on a relationship.

Turning toward a less blatantly manipulative character, Lady Catherine Du Bourgh is a classic example of the scheming rich relative, hell bent on protecting her relative and forcing them to do her will. We first interact with Lady Catherine through Mr. Collins. Even before actually meeting Lady Catherine, Elizabeth is aware of the influence that this matriarchal figure exerts on those who surround her. Lady Catherine's determination to have Darcy marry as she wishes and her attempts to keep Darcy and Elizabeth apart exhibit a more classic case of manipulation by a character, involving covert words and actions that are designed to gradually bring about one's will. 

Even the physical marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth is not without elements of this manipulation, with each of the two not being completely honest with each other up until the moment of their betrothal. More significantly, the character of Lydia hangs over the couple's marriage like a dark cloud. Darcy's promise of money to Wickham in exchange for marrying Lydia screams of manipulation, despite his claims against it. When Darcy said that he did not do it in hopes of winning Elizabeth's affections but follows up with saying that he did not do it for her family, these situation points to nothing else but the desire of Darcy to win the heart of Elizabeth by doing her a favor. 

The manipulation present throughout the course of Pride and Prejudice is at the heart of the story. Without the manipulative character of Mrs. Bennet, it is unlikely that Darcy and Elizabeth would have ever met. And without Lady Catherine, it is unlikely that the two would have ever gotten married. The questionable ideals that accompany the story do impede on a modern reader's ability to enjoy it with the same innocence that one would have in the 19th century, yet it is still a wonderful love story between two slightly questionable characters.