Comments on: Austen’s Introvert

By: The Four Temperaments | Spectatrix

The Four Temperaments | Spectatrix — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:35:36 +0000

[...] Austen’s Introvert [...]

By: spectatrix

spectatrix — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:03:47 +0000

Frustrated Introvert,

Thanks! Now I don’t feel so oblivious

By: frustrated introvert

frustrated introvert — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:42:35 +0000

spectatrix, I wouldn't necessarily say that it is obvious. Like you, I didn't immediately pick up on the signs of Darcy's introversion either. When I first read the book, I didn't know enough about introversion to come to that conclusion. It was only after reading blogs and websites such as this one, and becoming more aware of different temperaments and personalities, that I started to think more about literary characters and people whom I had met at different times in my life, who may have been introverts. So it definitely isn't something that you should feel should have been obvious to you right away. Once you know the sings of an introverted temperament, that is when Darcy's temperament becomes more apparent.

To Martin: I am glad that you referenced that blog entry because I hadn't even thought about Beth from Little Women. And also, the work experience that the blogger shared about her extroverted coworker is something of which many of us can relate.

By: spectatrix

spectatrix — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:51:06 +0000

Frustrated Introvert,

Yes, it seems obvious, doesn't it, that he's an introvert. I guess I just hadn't before linked up my own experience of introversion with Darcy's characterization in the novel.

Martin,

Interesting! I'm going to mention this link in a post because I think it raises a very good topic of discussion. Thanks for sharing!

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:11:52 +0000

As I delved into this idea I ran across this blog post about introverts in literature:

http://jenniesbooklog.blogspot.com/2006/05/caring-for-your-introverted-characters_31.html

The title is an homage to the Atlantic Monthly Essay and it goes on to characterize Mr. Darcy:

“He has to be top of the list because he’s probably the best-known introverted character ever.”

By: frustrated introvert

frustrated introvert — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:07:57 +0000

I started to think about introversion and how Mr. Darcy displays introverted characteristics, over a year ago. I was thinking about literary characters who seemed like introverts and Mr. Darcy popped into my head. When that happened, I started to think about how unfairly he was treated. I saw the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice and there is a scene in the move in which Elizabeth basically tries to embarrass Darcy in front of another guest, when they are at a dinner party. I don’t remember quite exactly how the scene went, but from what I remember, she basically calls him out on his lack of social etiquette. There are social behaviors that are expected of people, especially during that time, and she finds Darcy lacking in those social graces, because he doesn’t know the art of making small talk, doesn’t smile very much, and other people feel turned off by his seeming lack of interest in them. While other people are engaging each other, he tends to stand on the sidelines observing, which is looked down upon by other members of society, at social engagements. Plus, Elizabeth also judged Darcy rather harshly because she was listening to the disparaging remarks made by the manipulative Mr. Wickham, who basically wore his personality on his sleeve and seemed to have all of the qualities that Darcy seemed to lack. So Elizabeth was taken in by Mr. Wickham, which led her to beleive that Darcy was a mean person who didn’t care about other people. With someone as manipulative as Wickham whispering in her ear, it validated her initial opinion of Darcy. This all starts to change once she hears from other people about how kind Darcy really is. And then when she realizes what Mr. Darcy has done for her family after Lydia elopes, Elizabeth’s opinion of him truly changes. I also thought that Elizabeth was sort of annoying. But we also have to consider the time period and expectations of peoples behavior and how she bought right into that. Granted, peoples expectations about social behavior hasn’t really changed in certain ways, which makes it all the more important for people to not judge others based on appearances and gossip.

By: spectatrix

spectatrix — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:26:59 +0000

Martin,

I guess I assumed that Austen was an introvert, but the question for me is was she an aware and/or happy one? I'll have to go back and read P & P, because I'm curious to see if she seems sympathetic to Darcy or not. It can happen that introverts themselves are toughest on each other, influenced by social attitudes, but it could be possible that's not the case with Austen.

As for the 8 types of introversion, I hadn't heard of that, but I'll have to look into it!

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:00:44 +0000

I don't think you are alone on this. Someone in a book review on Amazon talks about 8 types of introversion and one of the examples was:

Literary--observer: Jane Austen, The Complete Novels

My first question: was she a particularly astute observer to capture the essence of his introversion or was she an introvert building a character from personal insight?