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crack_van2008-01-31 05:03 pm
malabud.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2008-01-31 05:03 pm
Entry tags:
The Prudent Motive by Malini (PG)
Fandom: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 70,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Why this must be read:
This story may seem to some to stretch Elizabeth Bennet's characterization to the breaking point, but it works surprisingly well. The premise of the tale is that Elizabeth prudently accepts Mr. Darcy's first proposal at Hunsford. She does not love him, but nor is she following purely mercenary motives. She does realize, however, that she would be foolish to reject such a man.
Both Elizabeth and Darcy thus enter their marriage without truly knowing the other. Darcy thinks Elizabeth loves him, and Elizabeth thinks Darcy is a proud, selfish man who ruined Jane Bennet's and Mr. Wickham's separate chances of happiness. Some of Elizabeth's fears about Darcy do come to pass, as he still wants to keep Bingley and Jane separated, and he discourages Elizabeth from visiting her relatives. (They are in trade, which is decidedly outside of Darcy's social sphere.)
Slowly, their eyes are opened, and well... I don't want to give it away. Both Darcy and Elizabeth are in character, as are all the secondary and tertiary characters. Certain events from the novel inevitably happen even with the changes, and it is fascinating how a prudent motive can affect so much and yet still have the characters learn the same necessary lessons. This story is a good read, and alert readers will note that the author does quote the novel a bit. Overall, this fic is well worth your time.
* * *
"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings other than those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than that of pride. His sense of her inferiority -- of its being a degradation -- of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit. In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and she was sorry for the pain he was to receive. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavors, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favorable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security.
When he had done, she tried to compose herself to answer him with patience, as she formulated her answer.
"In such cases as these, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. But I cannot -- I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly
But as she prepared to speak, Mr. Collins' words echoed through her mind.
"It is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you."
And she remembered Charlotte's admonishment; indeed, she would be a simpleton if she allowed her fancy for Wickham to slight a man of ten times his consequence. Perhaps Charlotte was right after all; she had accurately predicted Mr. Darcy's attachment, while Elizabeth herself had been utterly blind to his ardour. And Elizabeth recalled her friend's other pronouncements; "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." Certainly she had been proven incorrect about Mr. Darcy's indifference to her; was it that her rational philosophy was a liability in making her way through an irrational world, or was it simply that in taking one false step she had misjudged him entirely? No, she could not have been thus far mistaken. And certainly she did not reciprocate his sentiments. To accept him would be an act of bad faith. It would not do. And yet it was inconceivable on so many levels that she do otherwise.
She turned toward him.
"I thank you, sir, for your assurances, and I would be honoured to be your wife," she heard herself say, and bit her lip in disbelief.
The Prudent Motive
Pairing: Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
Length: 70,000 words
Author on LJ: Unknown
Author Website: The Derbyshire Writers' Guild
Why this must be read:
This story may seem to some to stretch Elizabeth Bennet's characterization to the breaking point, but it works surprisingly well. The premise of the tale is that Elizabeth prudently accepts Mr. Darcy's first proposal at Hunsford. She does not love him, but nor is she following purely mercenary motives. She does realize, however, that she would be foolish to reject such a man.
Both Elizabeth and Darcy thus enter their marriage without truly knowing the other. Darcy thinks Elizabeth loves him, and Elizabeth thinks Darcy is a proud, selfish man who ruined Jane Bennet's and Mr. Wickham's separate chances of happiness. Some of Elizabeth's fears about Darcy do come to pass, as he still wants to keep Bingley and Jane separated, and he discourages Elizabeth from visiting her relatives. (They are in trade, which is decidedly outside of Darcy's social sphere.)
Slowly, their eyes are opened, and well... I don't want to give it away. Both Darcy and Elizabeth are in character, as are all the secondary and tertiary characters. Certain events from the novel inevitably happen even with the changes, and it is fascinating how a prudent motive can affect so much and yet still have the characters learn the same necessary lessons. This story is a good read, and alert readers will note that the author does quote the novel a bit. Overall, this fic is well worth your time.
* * *
"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings other than those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than that of pride. His sense of her inferiority -- of its being a degradation -- of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit. In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and she was sorry for the pain he was to receive. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavors, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favorable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security.
When he had done, she tried to compose herself to answer him with patience, as she formulated her answer.
"In such cases as these, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed, however unequally they may be returned. But I cannot -- I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly
But as she prepared to speak, Mr. Collins' words echoed through her mind.
"It is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you."
And she remembered Charlotte's admonishment; indeed, she would be a simpleton if she allowed her fancy for Wickham to slight a man of ten times his consequence. Perhaps Charlotte was right after all; she had accurately predicted Mr. Darcy's attachment, while Elizabeth herself had been utterly blind to his ardour. And Elizabeth recalled her friend's other pronouncements; "Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance." Certainly she had been proven incorrect about Mr. Darcy's indifference to her; was it that her rational philosophy was a liability in making her way through an irrational world, or was it simply that in taking one false step she had misjudged him entirely? No, she could not have been thus far mistaken. And certainly she did not reciprocate his sentiments. To accept him would be an act of bad faith. It would not do. And yet it was inconceivable on so many levels that she do otherwise.
She turned toward him.
"I thank you, sir, for your assurances, and I would be honoured to be your wife," she heard herself say, and bit her lip in disbelief.
The Prudent Motive