In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", she uses Elizabeth's rejection of a proposal of marriage from Mr. Darcy in order to better portray the character and attitudes of the two characters. The egotistically prideful tone of Darcy's proposal and Elizabeth's brutally honest rejection both serve to indirectly describe their perspective personalities.
After hearing of Darcy's assistance in breaking off a relationship between her beloved sister and Bingley, Elizabeth cannot bear to think of Darcy. To her surprise, Darcy comes to her at night and, upon entering, quickly asks her health and restlessly paces the floor. Without much hesitation, he proceeds to inform Elizabeth of his deep adoration and love for her. Hearing this shocks the words from her mouth and the color from her face. Darcy interprets her speechlessness as a signal to continue with his proposal. As he carries on, Darcy speaks in a tone of arrogance, focusing more on her low place in society than his actual desire to marry her. He speaks with apprehension, yet his facial expressions show his confidence in her approval. Obviously (to all save Darcy), Elizabeth rejects his proposal with civility, holding back her deep-seeded hatred of him. Taken aback, Darcy loses composure momentarily then regains it, calmly inquiring the basis of her rejection. Her anger explodes as she goes on say that he is too arrogant and she questions him about the role she believes he played in disinheriting Wickham and his role in disrupting the romance between Jane, Elizabeth's sister, and Bingley. These arguments rise to the point of her ultimate rejection where she tells him that there is no way that she would ever take his hand in marriage. He then solemnly and respectfully leaves the house, wishing her health and happiness.
Darcy's air about him throughout the proposal, especially up to the point of her rejection, accurately displays his attitudes.
