DELICACY
We have been both to the exhibition and Sir J. Reynolds’; and I am disappointed, for there was nothing like Mrs. D. at either. I can only imagine that Mr. D. prizes any picture of her too much to like it should be exposed to the public eye. I can imagine he would have that sort of feeling, – that mixture of love, pride, and delicacy. 24 May 1813, The Letters of Jane Austen
This endearing passage appears in a letter written to her sister Cassandra regarding her visit to an exhibition in London of the artist Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), who has been exalted as one of the greatest portraitist prior to the Regency era. Austen’s disappointment in not recognizing any characteristics of Mrs. D. within any of the portraits is in reference to her character Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy nee Bennet, – – her heroine of Pride & Prejudice.
Jane Austen speaks so warmly of her characters, one would think that they were her children! She lovingly rationalizes that the omission is owing to Mr. Darcy’s delicacy toward his wife. Can we assume that the pride-full and arrogant characteristics that he presented at the beginning of the novel have continued to evolve in marriage into a different and more productive type of pride?
Has Mr. Darcy become a delicate and thoughtful husband? No doubt in my mind that this is Austen’s wish for their future happiness.
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How interesting – thank you for explaining this reference. I am always intrigued by the ways in which creative types are inspired by one another. It is heartwarming to think of Austen imagining her characters in the real world, or even as muses for other artists.
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Hello JaneFan, I was touched by JA’s affection for her characters also. It is amazing to think that she talked about them with her family and friends so intimately. It shows that she was indeed proud of her children. Best wishes, Laurel Ann
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