Pride and Prejudice: Darcy's Proposal

Darcy's proposal of marriage to Elizabeth and her subsequent rejection of him is the most eloquently expressed conflicts that I have ever read! It is a clear demonstration of Austen's style and touches on some of Austen's favorite themes: marriage, class, and society.
Austen's sentence structure and word choice depicts the personality and air of each character. Darcy's proposal is short and to the point, much like his character. Lizzy's initial response is the opposite. She makes a little longer response, is not direct, and is even perhaps snide in her final comment: "The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgement of your regard can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation." Her sentence structure is longer and slightly more complex than Darcy's. Note that as the argument continues and heightens, both characters' language become equally pointed and plain in the sense of transparency. This passage also exemplifies Austen's use of summery, especially in relation to the flow of her story. Rather than quoting Darcy's explanation of his struggles, she summarizes it. This allows more time to reflect upon his manner, read Lizzy's initial reactions, and presents a convenient way to move the reader through information that he or she already knows while introducing it for the first time to the other character, in this case, Lizzy.
Darcy and Lizzy's heated conversation reflects on ideas of marriage, class, and society of their times. Both are fully aware of the factors of class and society in marriage. Despite her shock and anger at Darcy's proposal and explanation, she is not "insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection." Darcy is more than aware of his status in society and, consequently, of Lizzy's. Darcy's utter surprise upon rejection is a testament to the times of Pride and Prejudice. Despite his overt slight of Elizabeth he had no reason to doubt her acceptance. He is so confidant in his position that he suggests that the sole reason for her rejection was his expressions concerning her inferiority: "these offences might have been overlooked, had not your pride been hurt by my honest confession. . . " Yet, despite the accelerating conflict between the two, Darcy remains adamant in his opinions and openly expresses his suffering concerning Elizabeth's family and station in life. He readily admits his designs in separating Jane and Bingly, stating: "Towards him I have been kinder than towards myself." (ouch!) In short, Darcy's proposal, Elizabeth's rejection, and the argument that ensued is a culmination of Austen's themes expressed and examined throughout the book; entangling the obstacles of class and society as principle roles in the overall theme of marriage.