Letters to the Editor
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Jane Autsten-- size matters
I know this is a bit off topic, except the question of whether discussion of Jane Austen is an intellectually demanding topic, which was raised by an earlier poster.
As is well-known, Elizabeth Bennett fell in love with Darcy after a visit to his estate and home, called Pemberley.
The idea for Pemberley apparently originated in a visit to Chatworth House, one of the greatest stately homes in England--a palace really. Jane Austen is believed to have visited there in 1811.
In 1811 the 6th Duke of Devonshire inherited the title and several major houses. He was supposedly in love with a princess whom he could not marry as he was not of royal blood, and had several mistresses, but never married, and was known as the Bachelor Duke.
I propose that he may have been a model for Darcy. As far as I know this theory has never been published elsewhere.
You can still visit it today
http://www.chatsworth.org/index.htm
or see Wikipedia for a nice photo of the approach to the house that Elizabeth Bennett would have seen.
Anyway, I think this kind of supports my theory that Darcy represents an unobtainable fantasy ideal rather than an actual personality. The Duke of Devonshire was WAY out of her league.
The modern equivalent would be Bridget Jones marries Sir Paul McCartney.
Hope that helps.