--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed…" description: "\"“Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at he..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/jane-austen-39_dark-eyes_mr-darcy-had-at-first-scarcely-allowed-h_2517156.jpg" --- # Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty… ![“Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to…” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/jane-austen-39_dark-eyes_mr-darcy-had-at-first-scarcely-allowed-h_2517156.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/jane-austen-39_dark-eyes_mr-darcy-had-at-first-scarcely-allowed-h_2517156.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/jane-austen-39_dark-eyes_mr-darcy-had-at-first-scarcely-allowed-h_2517156.jpg) > ““Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. To this discovery succeeded some others equally mortifying.”” [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mr. Darcy initially undervalues Elizabeth’s beauty, then discovers her intelligence through her eyes, leading to deeper appreciation. **In simple terms:** First impressions can change as deeper qualities are seen. Key Takeaway Look beyond surface appearances. Themes perception growth relationships Mood reflective thoughtful Type literary character‑analysis When to use this quote - first meetings - courtship - personal development - self-reflection Key Concepts social class self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - What qualities truly define a person? - How can we avoid snap judgments? A Different Perspective His shift may be seen as superficial, risking objectification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darcy Scarcely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darcy-scarcely-1215687/) [Dark eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-eyes/) [Equally Mortifying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equally-mortifying-1215689/) [Intelligent Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligent-beautiful-1215686/) [Looked Admiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked-admiration-1215685/) [Looked Criticise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked-criticise-1215688/) ## Related quotes > [“Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley’s attentions to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/occupied-in-observing-mr-bingley-s-attentions-to-her-sister-elizabeth/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [He almost said to himself that he did not like her, before their conversation ended; he tried so hard to compensate himself for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/he-almost-said-to-himself-that-he-did-not-like-her-before-their/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Margaret could not help her looks; but the short curled upper lip, the round, massive up-turned chin, the manner of carrying her head, her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/margaret-could-not-help-her-looks-but-the-short-curled-upper-lip-the/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [At a certain point he was very popular, from THE RAVEN. He was never fully appreciated, never made the money, and you know he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-astin/at-a-certain-point-he-was-very-popular-from-the-raven-he-was-never/) [John Astin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-astin/) > [The first time I ever saw Lydia Lunch perform it was a religious experience. Not only is she intelligent and beautiful but she actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessicka/the-first-time-i-ever-saw-lydia-lunch-perform-it-was-a-religious/) [Jessicka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessicka/) > [I am intelligent, I am beautiful, I am witty. I can do anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-intelligent-i-am-beautiful-i-am-witty-i-can-do-anything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So sad to see an intelligent beautiful person ruined in all their potential by the things people in the past have done from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-sad-to-see-an-intelligent-beautiful-person-ruined-in-all-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you are intelligent and beautiful you face a lot of problems. If you are beautiful and stupid then it's easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/when-you-are-intelligent-and-beautiful-you-face-a-lot-of-problems-if/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [“You seem to think you’re insignificant, but the truth is you’re so intelligent, beautiful, kind and decent, adorable. 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I thought you would want to stay for a while.” Dark eyes flashed. “No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/let-s-go-home-she-said-he-arched-his-brows-already-i-thought-you/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“there are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth – not going all the way and not starting”.’ She looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-buchanan/there-are-only-two-mistakes-one-can-make-along-the-road-to-truth-not/) [Tracy Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-buchanan/) > [Hey Sydney," she said, giving me a small, crooked smile as she entered the room. Her flashing, dark eyes were friendly, but they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/hey-sydney-she-said-giving-me-a-small-crooked-smile-as-she-entered/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [A blue eye is a true eye; Mysterious is a dark one, Which flashes like a spark sun! A black eye is the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rounseville-alger/a-blue-eye-is-a-true-eye-mysterious-is-a-dark-one-which-flashes-like/) [William Rounseville Alger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rounseville-alger/) ## More by Jane Austen > [Let us have the luxury of silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/let-us-have-the-luxury-of-silence/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, more moderate!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/how-earnestly-did-she-then-wish-that-her-former-opinions-had-been/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“it is very well worth-while to be tormented for two or three years of one's life, for the sake of being able to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/it-is-very-well-worth-while-to-be-tormented-for-two-or-three-years-of/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [ “Everybody is taken in at some period or another. \[...\] In marriage especially. \[...\] There is not one in a hundred of either sex,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/everybody-is-taken-in-at-some-period-or-another-in-marriage/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [She knew that what Marianne and her mother conjectured one moment, they believed the next: that with them, to wish was to hope, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/she-knew-that-what-marianne-and-her-mother-conjectured-one-moment/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“…for I look upon the Frasers to be about as unhappy as most other married people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/for-i-look-upon-the-frasers-to-be-about-as-unhappy-as-most-other/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“It raises my spleen more than any thing, to have the pretence of being asked, of being given a choice, and at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/it-raises-my-spleen-more-than-any-thing-to-have-the-pretence-of-being/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [her spirits wanted the solitude and silence which only numbers could give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/her-spirits-wanted-the-solitude-and-silence-which-only-numbers-could/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“But in such cases as these a good memory is unpardonable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/but-in-such-cases-as-these-a-good-memory-is-unpardonable/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“...the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/the-pleasantness-of-an-employment-does-not-always-evince-its-propriety/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/such-squeamish-youths-as-cannot-bear-to-be-connected-with-a-little/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-must-tell-you-what-you-will-not-ask-though-i-may-wish-it-unsaid-the/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/lady-catherine-seemed-quite-astonished-at-not-receiving-a-direct/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“He had suffered, and he had learnt to think, two advantages that he had never known before…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/he-had-suffered-and-he-had-learnt-to-think-two-advantages-that-he-had/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Eliot's character; vanity of person and of situation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/vanity-was-the-beginning-and-the-end-of-sir-walter-eliot-s-character/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) [Explore all 2,013 Jane Austen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) ## More Dark eyes quotes > [A blue eye is a true eye; Mysterious is a dark one, Which flashes like a spark sun! A black eye is the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rounseville-alger/a-blue-eye-is-a-true-eye-mysterious-is-a-dark-one-which-flashes-like/) [William Rounseville Alger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rounseville-alger/) > [Hey Sydney," she said, giving me a small, crooked smile as she entered the room. Her flashing, dark eyes were friendly, but they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/hey-sydney-she-said-giving-me-a-small-crooked-smile-as-she-entered/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“there are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth – not going all the way and not starting”.’ She looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-buchanan/there-are-only-two-mistakes-one-can-make-along-the-road-to-truth-not/) [Tracy Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-buchanan/) > [“Let’s go home,” she said. He arched his brows. “Already? I thought you would want to stay for a while.” Dark eyes flashed. “No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/let-s-go-home-she-said-he-arched-his-brows-already-i-thought-you/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“With a laugh exposing a kissable mouth and perfect teeth, he glances my way again, his entire demeanor tensing for a second, those dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppet/with-a-laugh-exposing-a-kissable-mouth-and-perfect-teeth-he-glances/) [Poppet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poppet/) > [Sylvia's dark eyes widened. "You are more than you appear to be" "Yes. I am a monster of Darkness, a beast," he agreed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sylvia-s-dark-eyes-widened-you-are-more-than-you-appear-to-be-yes-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“They were all around him, half a dozen of them, white-faced children with dark eyes, boys and girls together. And in their hands, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/they-were-all-around-him-half-a-dozen-of-them-white-faced-children/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [And all my days are trances, And all my nightly dreams Are where thy dark eye glances, And where thy footstep gleams-- In what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/and-all-my-days-are-trances-and-all-my-nightly-dreams-are-where-thy/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [“But he had the kindest face in the world, with big, dark eyes and buzzed-cut brown hair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/but-he-had-the-kindest-face-in-the-world-with-big-dark-eyes-and/) [S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/) > [“That man is such a damn turd monkey." "Grandma!" I said. "Oh, Zoeybird, did I just call your mother's husband a damn turd monkey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-c-cast/that-man-is-such-a-damn-turd-monkey-grandma-i-said-oh-zoeybird-did-i/) [P.C. Cast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-c-cast/) > [“She turned and eyed Jane, her dark eyes cool. Jane could see the thought process. Competition? Nope. Jane was dismissed after a moment without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/she-turned-and-eyed-jane-her-dark-eyes-cool-jane-could-see-the/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“whose dark eyes narrowed to lightless almonds,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-n-holmberg/whose-dark-eyes-narrowed-to-lightless-almonds/) [Charlie N. Holmberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-n-holmberg/) > [“Bram stared into a pair of wide, dark eyes. Eyes that reflected a surprising glimmer of intelligence. This might be the rare female a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/bram-stared-into-a-pair-of-wide-dark-eyes-eyes-that-reflected-a/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) > [“I’d die for you, Dan. No questions asked.” “No, Vadim. No.” Dan’s dark eyes were unforgivingly intense. “You must not die for me, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-voinov/i-d-die-for-you-dan-no-questions-asked-no-vadim-no-dan-s-dark-eyes/) [Aleksandr Voinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-voinov/) > [“And then he asked me how I felt about you.” Now I put real effort into wrestling out of his choke hold, eventually succeeding.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianna-keyes/and-then-he-asked-me-how-i-felt-about-you-now-i-put-real-effort-into/) [Julianna Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianna-keyes/) [Browse all 366 Dark eyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-eyes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Mr. Darcy had at first scarcely allowed her to be pretty; he had looked at her without admiration at the ball; and when they next met, he looked at her only to criticise. 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