How Lizzy Caught Mr Darcy's Eye | Attraction in Jane Austen's Novels, Countenance & Regency Beauty

[@EllieDashwood]

The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/elliedashwood09241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!

[@kansmill]

Feedback to skillshare: I would like to have tried but refuse to give over banking information for a free trial. I’m sad to miss out…

[@sputnikone6281]

And the 501'st person gets to date a hot Russian babe!

[@hanng1242]

I always figured that Darcy thought Elizabeth beautiful from the beginning, but because he was determined to not have a good time, he chose to find fault where it didn't exist such that the rest of the novel was about him overcoming his prejudices about Meryton and its environs.

[@EllieDashwood]

Ooo I could see that!

[@kohakuaiko]

Having finally finished the book, ( LibriVox for the win) I can't help but feel that Darcy had a habit of only saying half of the sentence he was thinking. "not handsome enough to tempt me (away from my introverted sulking and into making a new acquaintance or even taking a better look )"

[@adorabell4253]

I just assumed he didn’t more than glance at her because as you said, he didn’t want to have a good time.

[@madtabby66]

I thought ok it more that he knew the mothers were throwing their daughters at him and he wasn’t impressed with the idea of being caught.

[@user-wr3vt8uq4s]

I think a bit of a reverse vector, in that Lizzy wasn't paying attention to him, and that made him want her more.

[@MsOlikk]

I wish Jane Austin would know how popular she and her books become. That so many years later there are so many movies, documentaries, clubs, balls and events, fanfics, memes, that there are Janeite of all genders who are so devoted to her books. That literally centuries later, when society is completely different, her books became even more popular. It's such a shame that this is impossible. She changed the lives of so many people.

[@kayfountain6261]

I also wish we could go back to 1813 and persuade her not to sell the copyright for P&P. Her earnings would have made her last years far more comfortable and reduced their reliance on her brothers charity.

[@lisahannah3175]

@@kayfountain6261 as long as we didn’t have to stay back then 😂

[@kayfountain6261]

@@lisahannah3175 indeed (as somebody who recently needed a course of antibiotics!)

[@donnalynnmcclary8027]

Gosh, what a lovely thought! I wish she could know that, too.

[@RED-my9hl]

her books were considered trash back then

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

I always imagine that Darcy experienced what Amy Pond described in "The Girl Who Waited.": Amy Pond: You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful. And then you actually talk to them, and five minutes later they're as dull as a brick. Then there's other people, and you meet them and think, not bad, they're okay. And then you get to know them, and their face just sort of becomes them, like their personality's written all over it. And they just turn into something so beautiful. Rory's the most beautiful man I've ever met.

[@Draconisrex1]

Well quoted. Thank you.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Yes. I remember thinking that was so beautifully put.

[@cheshiredeimos1874]

Throughout the video I kept thinking of this exact scene.

[@Evija3000]

I think I'm more the first one. I've had plenty of guys show interest in me, but I'm so introverted, most quickly loose it :D

[@Sapharone]

​@@Evija3000 The same here. That's why I agree with Charlotte. Because experience. We don't use the word 'countenance' that much anymore, but we still judge and act on it....and often get it wrong.

[@LatelyFashionable]

I love that you point out how Mr Darcy finds Elizabeth beautiful in motion. And I've seen commentary going around on the Internet in response to someone not believing their significant other when that person finds them attractive, because they don't see it when they look in the mirror. The response is that "You don't see yourself when you're laughing. When you're surprised. When you're excited. When you're delighted. That's when the beauty shows up." And I think about that a lot with the people I love most. I love watching my husband talk. I love watching my daughter dance. I love watching my son build LEGOS. They are beautiful in their motions - and emotions.

[@mirelasemanjaku]

Wow.. that was beautiful. I never thought ot that way! It's so true. In motion the energy flows as well and people match(lovers, friends, family as well) based on their energy, not just looks or cv.

[@audioliquor]

I wish I could like this comment more than once. I want you to know I screenshotted it. 🎉

[@AW-uv3cb]

I love the phrase "your personality looks cute on your face" 😀

[@EllieDashwood]

😂 It needs to become a standard pickup line.

[@lilacgirl-z8w]

​@@EllieDashwoodcould you possibly do a how Anne Elliot attracted Wentworth?

[@s.a.4358]

Same!

[@maricarnelli6389]

I love how jane austen is always trying to show her people how silly they are hahahaha

[@EllieDashwood]

😂 Why does this so accurately sum up her novels?

[@maricarnelli6389]

@@EllieDashwood speaking of, this video made me realize I need to re-read pride and prejudice so I can be mindful of these little details

[@CorwinFound]

I was in sales for years, and absolutely countenance counts. I was a very successful sales person for over 20 years and I worked my countenance. People think they know what a successful sales person is. Smooth, fast talking, uber confident, aggressive. My sales persona was very much not that. Eagerly friendly, slightly socially awkward, jolly, and pretty much the opposite of imposing. Because I always seemed utterly harmless and earnestly sincere, people trusted me. And so I made a very healthy income. I don't know how many people were _attracted_ to my countenance, but they certainly trusted me with their company's money.

[@sophiamikell7490]

That is actually similar to my Dad. He is very laid back with his selling but that lulled people into a false sense of security. He easily tricks many people

[@catetanenbaum2418]

​@@sophiamikell7490 He tricks a lot of people... Uhh that doesn't sound good

[@nohomo4774]

@@catetanenbaum2418 it's only bad if he uses it for evil! Hopefully he didn't do that ;)

[@emilyrln]

@@catetanenbaum2418yes, but bear in mind that the original commenter said _successful,_ not _good._

[@DiamondsRexpensive]

That's me and until this moment I thought I shouldn't pursue sales because I'm not aggressive and fast talking enough. I'll go find jobs to apply 😊

[@Mai2727]

Lord Byron had such a long-winded way of telling women to smile lol

[@EllieDashwood]

😂 I'm dying laughing.

[@IlastarothTayre]

This is actually adorable and surprisingly reminds me of how my boyfriend describes me! He says he thinks I'm beautiful, but "just a picture" wouldn't really do me justice because the way I speak, move, laugh and express myself truly brings out an attractive energy, some sort of charisma, that is more important that the features of my face and body. I am not truly a conventional beauty, but I think the way my personality flows through my body gives people the impression that I'm "prettier than I objectively am", and honestly for someone who has always struggled with self-esteem and their own appearance, the idea that I'm attractive for who I am inside pouring though my surface, it's truly a great boost of confidence. Never thought I'd compare my relationship to Lizzie and Darcy's, but here we are!

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww, that is so sweet! 💕

[@viktoriavadon2222]

This is so beautiful and inspiring! I'm truly happy for you, and thank you for sharing the message!

[@IlastarothTayre]

@@viktoriavadon2222 thank you, that's very kind! I wish this kind of appreciation to everyone

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

@@EllieDashwood This is absolutely true. I often see girls who are quite pretty, if you judge them "formally", in terms of figure and face. If you take a photo of them, they can easily be on a poster, advertisement, etc. But grace in movement... hmm... that's much more difficult and not many people have it. The sedentary lifestyle of today's youth may be partly to blame. But not only that. Body language results from how a person feels. In my country, scientists created an interesting computer program that could analyze it quite accurately! The camera filmed a man on the street and the computer said: "This man walks lightly, he is in love" or "This man has evil intentions." In fact, the program was supposed to search for these criminals. But this technology was banned because it interferes too much with private life!

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

@@IlastarothTayre "I think the way my personality flows through my body gives people the impression that I'm "prettier than I objectively am" - This applies to a lot of actresses, actually ;) In my country, a guy judged a famous actress: "My God, she looks like an average country girl" and... Yes, there was some truth in this description, but... Well, she looks nice because of her way of behaving and facial expressions.

[@liljenborg2517]

This is not an entirely lost concept. The best photographers are the ones who don’t just snap a picture of people saying “cheese”, they capture the personality in their expression.

[@anitapaulsen3282]

Yes, indeed. I think National Geographic photographers are a good example of this.

[@s.a.4358]

Very true, and it is one of the reasons I love photography, especially black and white portraits. A good photographer will know how to capture the person’s essence and the mood of the moment.

[@akanksha7221]

Oh, the first person that came to my mind was Yosuf karsh, he was a prominent photographer who was known to capture essence of his subjects in his photographs.

[@pmarkhill519]

I believe Austen was reiterating what Proverbs say, “charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting…”

[@EllieDashwood]

Ooo good point!

[@chanaheszter168]

Nice one! Literally, Proverbs says "Charm is a lie, and beauty is emptiness" in the original text. Also, the word for face in Hebrew is plural! Because it's about expressions...

[@riverAmazonNZ]

Jane is described as having “a serenity of countenance not often united with great sensibility” or something like that. Basically a calmness of manner and expression that is seldom found combined with deep feelings and sensitiveness. Poor girl was destined to be misunderstood but at least Lizzie knew her well.

[@Evija3000]

Heh, I feel like that fits me pretty well. People have said that I have a peaceful, calming aura about me, which surprised me because I'm all anxiety deep down. And I was over 30 years old when I finally got a boyfriend and even that was through the internet initially. Plenty of guys had shown interest in my teens and 20s, but I struggled to get over my shyness and introversion and they quickly got bored. I wonder if they just thought I'm not interested.

[@khplaylistyt9729]

Damn, that kinda perfectly encapsulates who I am 😂😂😂😂

[@lawyergrits]

I can just hear the Beatles singing, "Something in the way she moves..." In fact, it sounds like Darcy could have written that whole song because the lyrics match Ellie's description of Darcy's observations so well.

[@pmarkhill519]

Good point!

[@maryannlockwood7806]

Exactly!💁🏻‍♀️

[@darcychipman]

This reminds me of the Roald Dahl quote: “If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until you can hardly bear to look at it. A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

[@MsJubjubbird]

Lizzia is not meant to be ugly though. She is a sort of local beauty and the second prettiest of the sisters, while her sister is a Miss Universe contender. Plain girls are like Charlotte, Anne de Burgh, Mary B or Mary King. I feel him criticising her beauty and saying she has no good features is being defensive and trying t ward off his feelings. Most attractive to Darcy about Elizabeth initially is she doesn't throw herself at him.

[@b0tias]

True, but I have heard attractive people joke that once they cross the LA County line, they go from being 11s to being a 7. By his worldly standards, the second prettiest girl in a country town might be easy, even enjoyable, for him to dismiss on his first, shallow, impression of her.

[@sloanelaker1130]

​@@b0tias true but Lizzie was genuinely pretty, as was Jane, I don't think they were just local beauties, of course there were girls prettier in bigger cities but most people whenever they looked at them their first thoughts were "oh they are pretty" To show Lizzie is pretty, even Catherine de Burgh, when she first met her, thought of her as one of those pretty sort of girls and Mr Collins chose her as his second choice right away for marriage. She genuinely was pretty to anyone's standards, it's just that Jane was above her, so she was always in her shadow.

[@delphinidin]

I never really thought about it before, but the 1980 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Garvie is actually a perfect Elizabeth Bennet, physically. She's pretty enough, but not gorgeous - but her expressions are so much fun to watch, and she's small and light, clearly intelligent, and has big, expressive eyes. Perfect casting, really! Jennifer Ehle is a wonderful Lizzie, but for this physical description, she's too beautiful and too statuesque lol

[@missanne2908]

Also, David Rintoul was a perfect physical match for 'the great, tall fellow' that Mr. Bingley talks about. Sabina Franklyn's Jane IMHO, was the prettiest of the five sisters, as stated in the books. The only actor that didn't match up was Peter Setelyn's Mr. Wickham. Aunt Gardner said he was better looking than Mr. Darcy, but I don't think that Setelyn was.

[@you_already_have_it]

​@@missanne2908😮you're right

[@chriscarson7384]

Completely agree. I have always felt Malcolm Rennie perfectly captured Mr. Colins in both appearance and manner. There was some wonderful casting in that adaptation!

[@kayfountain6261]

@missanne2908 given his own character you might have expected him to play a better snake in the grass.

[@marijeangalloway1560]

Sabina Franklyn was indeed lovely as Jane; often portrayed as a blonde, in this case she was a strikingly beautiful brunette.​@@missanne2908

[@reneep4269]

This reminds me an old Tumblr post: "You think you're ugly but you don't see your face when you see a cute dog, when you laugh a joke, (it had more that I can't remember) But I do. And I think you're beautiful."

[@myheartismadeofstars]

People would definitely find my countenance lacking. I'm autistic and i tend towards a flatter affect. My face has a neutral frown unless i am masking, or genuinely REALLY happy. On the other hand, my fiance has a very VIBRANT countenance! He expresses a LOT and it is genuinely interesting to see his emotions on his face.

[@jediping]

I was thinking that this is gonna be a big challenge for people with autism. It makes me wonder if the people who are all “No, symmetry is more important” are more likely to have been autistic because it’s something they can understand and control more easily via good tailoring rather than trying to figure out “What should I be doing with my face?” in any given moment.

[@myheartismadeofstars]

@@jediping that's a very interesting theory! I can definitely understand symmetry easier than countenance, so that's very possible!

[@jennissimo3520]

Really interesting video as always! This also made me think about Darcy seeing himself as an authority on beauty and calling Lizzie "not handsome enough to tempt me", but also having seemingly no attraction to Jane, who is stated as a pretty much objectively perfect beauty - and should therefore be the most attractive to him, if he truly was the kind of person he thinks he is. Both Lizzie and Darcy's character arcs are about realising their lack of self-awareness and their flaws (their pride and prejudice - "til this moment, I never knew myself", as Lizzie puts it, and Darcy's shock when being called ungentlemanly, etc), and while Lizzie's lack of self-awareness about Wickham is obvious because we follow her POV, your video helped me see clearer that countenance when it comes to attraction is yet another parallel between Darcy and her! Lizzie is fooled by Wickham's countenance, and Darcy has fooled himself by not being very aware of what he's *actually* attracted to: countenance and intelligence, rather than perfect, symmetrical features and accomplishment, and both Lizzie and Darcy end up making poor judgements because of how they value countenance at first. Lizzie values is too much and is deceived by Wickham, while Darcy doesn't and ends up misjudging Jane and turning Elizabeth against him. This becomes one more layer of parallels between Darcy and Lizzie that I hadn't seen so clearly before because I while you do get some idea of what they mean by countenance in the books, you don't get the full picture of it without the historical context. The double-edged nature of countenance also seems to tie into this common greater theme in Austen's books of Apollo (rationality, prudence) vs Dionysus (passion/instinct/irrationality) - we see this in P&P, S&S and even Northanger Abbey. Ended up thinking aloud in this comment lol but the more I learn about these little details the more I get to appreciate Austen's amazing writing and the depth to the characters, so thank you for all these amazing deep dives!! 😊

[@namelessbrat7197]

Oh! Your analysis is amazing. Thank you for sharing it.

[@glowlikeyou1099]

I think even though we don't know the term countenance as often, we as a society still judge people on their countenance and expression.

[@EllieDashwood]

Good point! I think if we had helpful terms like countenance then we could better discuss it. We lost a lot of the vocabulary and concepts they took for granted as common knowledge and that made talking about it easier for them.

[@glowlikeyou1099]

​@@EllieDashwood it would be easier for us to be alert that others are judging us on our countenance so to be extra cautious. But at the same time, also to remember not to judge others on theirs, because it's not reliable and we could be wrong in assessing their character based on it. This is the conclusion i came up with your video. Thanks for explaining everything so thoroughly. ❤😊

[@бронза.вафля.конус]

Countenance is still a very common word though?

[@Evija3000]

Yeah, I think people just use the word "charisma" when talking about it.

[@erinlawrence6568]

​@@Evija3000 I think charisma is a specific type of countenance: lively, expressive, maybe boisterous. I don't think we could say that Darcy had charisma.

[@seaofghosts]

I think the context has to be considered. Bingley had just told Darcy he looked stupid for standing about and not dancing. He then offers to introduce him to Elizabeth who he describes as pretty. At the moment Darcy looks around, Elizabeth does the same. And possibly feeling foolish for having been caught looking, he's even more annoyed with Bingley and determined to find fault with anything he suggests.

[@cmm5542]

Completely agree. I think there was more of the snark you feel safe giving a close friend (I talk to my siblings like that all the time) than INTENT to insult Elizabeth. Still, Darcy should have considered how it might have come across; he and Bingley weren't alone in the billiard room! 😂

[@dazeyday5699]

This! I have always thought Darcy's need to appear lofty and superior (and later we discover this might have at least partially concealed his feelings of awkwardness) at the initial dance was informing his remarks, and they were basically throw-away lines in the bigger scheme of things.

[@pamigreenway]

@@seaofghosts we have to take into consideration that, at that time period, stupid meant silent (as if one is in a stupor) rather than unintelligent. What Bingley is suggesting is that Darcy is just standing about and not speaking to anyone besides the Bingley family and he just wishes Darcy was more invested in having some fun. Darcy probably doesn't consider an assembly like that fun. I understand this on a personal level. 😆

[@seaofghosts]

@@pamigreenway Austen would often use it to describe someone lacking in understanding. Also could be interpreted as dull, boring. "“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” “If this man had not twelve thousand a year, he would be a very stupid fellow.” But whatever Bingley meant by calling Darcy stupid, it wasn't a compliment. Added to his discomfort of simply being there (which he possibly was persuaded to against his own inclination), Bingley also told him he would be not as fastidious as he for the world. I wouldn't be impressed by Bingley in that particular moment either. As a classic introvert, I too empathize with Darcy.

[@pamigreenway]

@@seaofghosts Exactly. It had several similar meanings. I just hadn't take one the modern meaning of "less than intelligent" until more recently.

[@KarenSDR]

The quality you talk about of motion bringing out beauty was something I noticed when I saw a Marilyn Monroe movie. All my life I had seen photos of her and thought it must be something only men could appreciate, because she looked nice enough but not spectacular. But recently my husband and I watched some of her movies, and she just sparkled. Not just in a sexy way, but in a cute and funny way that surprised me.

[@julijakeit]

In these times a person's beauty depended on how socially connected and wealthy they were. When I lived in Middle East, whenever I wore traditional garb, other women started chirping how 'beautiful' and I am and 'what I princess' I am. Just wearing a different apparel did not make me look more physically beautiful, of course, but social norms may have dictated how other people perceived me. Of course, some people were so physically attractive that even their lower status did not hurt their beauty, such as Mrs Bennet or Jane Bennet.

[@joygilman1110]

Ani DeFranco has a quote for just this: " I have the kind of beauty that moves."

[@EllieDashwood]

Oooooooooo that is cool.

[@ktburger659]

Love Ani!!

[@jjxoxo94]

Hello! South Korean subscriber here! Imagine my surprise to hear you say you were planning a trip to South Korea! Welcome! But I feel obligated to tell you that you should plan your wardrobe carefully because the weather has been VERY fickle over the past few years (yes, years). We've been having warm winters and stormy summers and it's now fall and we usually have wind by this time, but instead summer is dragging on here (which is not pleasant). So just wanted to warn you! I feel so honored that you picked my country and I hope you enjoy your trip!

[@O-Demi]

Wow, the level of analysis here!! I was always wondering why Jane said that Wickham's countenance had an air of goodness after all he had done! I don't think I would have ever guessed this.

[@jacky3580]

Wickham had no conscience. He only cared about himself.

[@lisacrandall409]

This is a fascinating analysis. I wish that the term 'countenance' did not fall out of use over time. Personally I agree with Jane, that a person's countenance can be deceiving, especially for young people. I think our countenance becomes a more reliable indicator of our inner character as we age.

[@Evija3000]

Yeah, could be healthy to have the concept of countenance in our modern society. Maybe people would have less issues with their physical appearance and cosmetic surgery/procedures would be a little less common.

[@Evija3000]

I discovered the importance of countenance when going dancing. If I'm just sitting like I do, just existing - nothing. If I'm sitting up straight, looking excitedly around the room, maybe smiling - I quickly get invited to dance :D

[@arkadiuszlucia9568]

I can't help, but i always see Lizzy and Darcy as Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.

[@AW-uv3cb]

I remember reading an aphorism once, something like (very inaccurately): "Everyone is responsible for what their face looks like when they're 40" or some such. The message was that we don't get to decide what physical features we're born with, but we do decide how we approach the world and over time this attitude is etched in our faces: whether we are/look mean, happy, untrusting, eager, fearful, energetic etc. - and this is what people ultimately react to. I reckon this is quite close to the idea of countenance!

[@judithstrachan9399]

I believe it may have been Abraham Lincoln. The way I heard it, someone took exception when he said he didn’t like a man’s face. “You can’t hold a man responsible for his face!” “I hold anyone over 40 responsible for their face.”

[@RoseBaggins]

Ah, yes, the notorious Dorian Gray comes to mind ...

[@bluethnerfluegel]

Ellie, you deserve some kind of prize for this excellent analysis ☺️

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Thank you!

[@lovelyreen9936]

This was WAY more insightful than I was expecting! Way to go with the thoroughly worthwhile content, Ellie!!!

[@EllieDashwood]

Aww! 💕 I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[@ohlambert3562]

having two gowns for the ad break is so slay

[@EllieDashwood]

I gotta sneak in my fits somehow 😂

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

Well, Lizzie was objectively pretty in her own right without motion anyway but her personality definitely caught his attention. He likes em spicy. ❤ 😂

[@rachelruru6416]

There are parts of Austen that I found extremely difficult to relate to and understand…but watching your videos has delightfully opened my eyes.

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw! Yay! I've accomplished my goal. 😊

[@daphblue]

The 3rd dimension of motion is very interesting to me. The woman who made my wedding dress (my high school band director actually) mentioned that the dress will look so different in action, and that that’s actually more important than how it looks standing still and in pictures. She made sure to embroider under my arms for example, so those areas aren’t blank when my arms are up while dancing, etc

[@scottwheeler6050]

A masterclass in countenance... Oh how powerful the inner glow that expresses itself by way of the heart... So alluring and so dangerous. Thank you so much for a truly evocative presentation!

[@chriscarson7384]

Loved this video! The remarks about countenance have puzzled me for years. I found your explanation so easy to understand. This will enhance the experience when I read P&P for the 40th time. 😉😉💖💖

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Yay! I'm so glad! 😃☺💕

[@cynthiastinson7059]

🤩40 times. Wow.

[@jacksonfl]

Ellie - I am sure that I am not the only one of your viewers who was charmed by YOUR beautiful countenance as you described to us what "countenance" means. That, in part, is why you have so many subscribers, I suspect. Keep up the good work!

[@b0tias]

Thank you SO MUCH for doing this video. I noticed the importance of "countenance" in Austen's writing, and could more or less understand it from context, but I could find no treatment of the concept until now.

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!! 💕

[@Heothbremel]

Ellie has a lovely countenance!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@EllieDashwood]

Awwwwww! 🙈💕

[@megankuchta9145]

The lack of countenance is one of the biggest arguments against plastic surgery. We just don’t use that language

[@Evija3000]

And the lack of the popularity of this concept is why people think the features are what matters which prompts them to do plastic surgery.

[@l.rhymes606]

This might be your best video in my opinion. Very well researched and we'll thought out. Loved it ❤

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Thank you!

[@christrites4251]

It makes perfect sense to me. People (sane) generally don't fall in love with an inanimate object such as a picture or a statue, even though it may be beautiful. It's the countenance (or personality in modern times) that really moves the soul and intrigues us.

[@delbelcoure]

This is so interesting! I wonder if there is some crossover with charisma, because I have fallen afoul of charismatic people with poor actions

[@gray_mara]

I tend to associate charisma with actions and being able to elicit a desired response. I don't think it has anything to do with countenance because many very charismatic people (think cu lt leaders, for example) do not have a pleasing countenance, but are able to sway and manipulate people despite this.

[@TheMoriahCarnahan]

Thank you for this video! I never fully understood the meaning of countenance before this! I feel like it helps me better understand the story.

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw! Yay! I feel like I’ve accomplished my purpose here. 😃😊💕

[@kellyobrien189]

Enjoyed your video! Thanks for the research and all the quotes!

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw!!! Yay! Thank you! 💕

[@judithstrachan9399]

Byron was a pig, but wow, he was beautiful.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Wickham but more so!

[@lisakilmer2667]

Another very well-done lecture! Your incisive scholarship is valuable, but combined with your engaging delivery, it i invaluable!

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Thank you! That's so sweet!

[@ChristinaMitchellwriter]

Love this video! The idea of movement being pretty reminds me of one of my favorite Ani Difranco lyrics. so i walk like i'm on a mission cuz that's the way i groove i got more and more to do i got less and less to prove it took me too long to realize that i don't take good pictures cuz i have the kind of beauty that moves

[@dmrmkw]

This was an interesting video. I will have to re-read the book, but in the 1995 BBC version, Mr Darci sees Lizzy in a lot of motion: walking, playing with the dog, etc. I also thought it was her willingness to talk-back to him, stand up to him and not just kowtow to him, that intrigued him. Unrelated question: why does Lady Catherine want Lizzie to stay an extra month with her? She doesn't seem to particularly like Lizzy. Is she fascinated by her or something? Or she just wants to get her way, be controlling? What a narcissist though.

[@riverAmazonNZ]

I think Lizzie livened up LC’s boring life

[@gray_mara]

I think it was to be controlling. Lizzie was the only one there she couldn't control and she saw how the others looked up to her. She was also a threat to Lady Catherine's control of the others. Lizzie had said they were leaving, and at the very last minute Lady Catherine tries to make her stay longer. She thought she had a lot to offer: her house and grounds, her scintillating company, but Lizzie proved that her family was more important to her than anything Lady Catherine could give her. It was the ultimate proof of Lady Catherine's lack of control over her.

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

I've just discovered your channel. I like it! I enjoyed your excellent analysis of 3 years ago comparing 2005 and 1995.

[@missg6709]

That Byron quote at 16:45 reminds me of every random male stranger who ever told me to smile. That being said, I love the view of two different types of beauty, and how Darcy considers himself an expert of one but slowly begins to appreciate the other.

[@MadamoftheCatHouse]

We ascribe countenance not just to humans, some animals too. We talk a lot about our dogs' 'puppy dog' eyes and cats' arrogant expressions.

[@gerbenhoutman9348]

I'm very happy to learn about countenance. In answer to your final answer, at the end. I do have a good countenance, and have been told quite often. But most of it comes from my enthusiasm and the nature of my ideas. I'm not all that handsome, or very tall. Just of ordinary height. When I was at university, I could never meet a young woman at the noisy clubs. But, when I could see her in person and had the chance to talk, it was a whole different story.

[@lyndalamb3221]

In his early encounters with Elizabeth, "methink he doth protest too much", trying to convince himself that he's not interested in her.

[@EllieDashwood]

I think you might be on to something. 😂

[@TishLance]

Thanks Ellie! I always learn something important about Jane’s writing from you which makes me want to read the books all over… starting today! This idea of countenance is so eye opening. You’re amazing!

[@jldisme]

A fascinating concept. Thanks!

[@laurenelizabeth3146]

I love how much people used to think about the nuances of a person they admired or loved. While, from Byron it is very eye-roll worthy, from a genuine observer it seems so sweet 💕

[@LilaCerullos]

I hope Jane knows how much we love her, she is awesome.

[@sarahnelson8836]

When you started with “what is the nature of human beauty” I had a full existential crisis. The weirdest thing is we will never know if we are truly beautiful because we are all biased

[@cosmictreason2242]

Inaccurate. Objective truth is knowable, bias can be overcome, the only reason anyone stays ignorant is a deliberate refusal to correct the bias

[@sarahnelson8836]

@@cosmictreason2242 I mean to some degree but technically you’ve never seen your own face - only the reflection which is flipped - kinda hard to see the thing that your eyes are in. It’s more a physical bias and limitation than a mental habit

[@jacksonfl]

Ellie - While listening to this, Kiera Knightley's performance of Lizzie was in my mind. Her countenance - and especially her eyes - were captivating throughout the entire movie. Still a classic.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Yes, a good story: pity it departed from the book.

[@katalins.murphy2825]

You cinematography definitely levelled up! Great job.

[@constancapages]

Your channel is a gem, where else would we be getting videos as specific as this one?

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Thank you!

[@rosepage2262]

I just got back from South Korea it is a insanely incredible experience you will Love it!

[@EllieDashwood]

Ahhhh!!! That is so awesome. I'm glad you had a good time! And I'm so excited. :D

[@NikkiV.]

I love your videos. So glad you posted today

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw!!! Thanks so much! 💕

[@impartialeggplant4438]

It's crazy I feel like I've learned some life lessons today just from this video. I suddenly feel as though I can be more confident in revealing my expressions and not trying to hide them.

[@paigeellis1033]

Yessss New Ellie Dashwood video!!

[@EllieDashwood]

🔥🔥🔥

[@Marina_7]

Have fun on your trip and exploration!! 🤗 Loved this analysis (as always), I always found countenance as such a big factor of people's impression or attractiveness and never knew how to explain it well!

[@IAmDellaKnox]

🕯️ I loved this whole series!!! Would you ever consider doing Deep Dives into albums like Lover, folklore, evermore and midnights? I adore these deep dives and would love to hear your thoughts, especially in folklore and evermore!❤

[@anitapaulsen3282]

Elizabeth's attractive countenance caught Mr. Darcy's attention but it was her good character in support of it that drew him in.

[@angelicasmodel]

These last two videos have been fascinating. Thanks for them.

[@The_Late_Great_Hannibal_Lecter]

It's giving "schoolboy who's mean to and critical of his crush because heaven forbid he opens himself up to judgment or ridicule by demonstrating his true feelings in any way, especially because he thinks that SHE thinks he's not a good prospect" energy

[@The_Late_Great_Hannibal_Lecter]

ie, the gentleman doth protest too much

[@kkay3784]

This is a brilliant explanation! Thanks for all the foods for thought. I am so full from a multi-course meal of ideas!

[@heeza12oclock39]

Congratulations for discovering and sharing this Ellie. In todays world we need to go back to this! I feel a lot of people who truest understood this would not compare themselves to all the silly social media posers!!!

[@narnia1233]

This was a really fun video and topic. Enjoyed very much-and truthfully not a Mr. Darcy fan-haha-but still loved. (I like Edward from Sense & Sensibility, Captain Wentworth from Persuasion)

[@nightowl6260]

Darcy was hooked into the negative orb of the Bingley sisters. They were the "mean girls" of the friend group. Darcy was following along. He had to break out of this sense of belonging to that group.

[@rachellesch8681]

I would love it if you did a video on what a handsome man of the period (Mr. Darcy?) would have looked like.

[@kukusek]

God, you have such a smooth speech ❤

[@L.Spencer]

Another awesome video and so interesting a topic! I was just telling my husband I couldn't have married him if he looked different in certain ways, but I wouldn't have married someone else if they were in his body. The body and the person go together. If that makes any sense, but it does to me. :)

[@lolk7726]

Great video! I would love a lesson on the picturesque.

[@lout1587]

Good Discussion! From your exposition (and explanation of the problem of Wickham), it sounds like good countenance can only indicate a good countenance.

[@ridingwilding760]

I recently realized that if a man approached me with words of love but spent as little time as Mr Darcy did getting to know Elizabeth i would have serious concerns. I know that times were different but if you pay attention to how few conversations the two have and how little substance the conversation contained I would feel seriously uncomfortable with someone declaring their love for me. Yes yes different times, but Elizabeth stands out as someone that wasn’t willing to marry without affection.

[@Evija3000]

I'm sure there were some more interactions behind the scenes at Bingley's or when visiting Lady Catherine. Yeah, in modern times it would be extremely concerning, but it seems it really was a different time. Jaine and Bingley also had limited encounters, probably less than Elizabeth and Darcy, And Charlotte thought it's best to just roll the dice and work out any issues after marriage. The Benett parents also seem to have married quickly without him learning her full personality. Not to mention Mr.Collins' proposal :D I mean how are you supposed to get to know someone. No phones/internet, not appropriate to meet just the two of you. So it was just during social events. And how long can you wait while trying to get to know someone through these limited encounters? Probably not very long else someone else will snatch her. And most girls won't wait forever either considering how quickly they became "old maids" and the pressure from the families if there was a good match.

[@ridingwilding760]

@@Evija3000 I agree that those times weren’t the ideal for dating, ironically with Darcy being so swooned over😘😋 over the decades. At the time of the proclamation of love the first time. It seemed that all their interactions to that point were filled with animosity on Elizabeth’s part. I’m just saying that his time couldn’t have been worse. And even if he saw her in a positive light he had yet to show himself in a positive manner, and Elizabeth had already shown herself to be the outlier when it came to women of the time. I can’t imagine what Jane Austin would think of all the endless discussion and academic study that her work has generated.

[@Evija3000]

@@ridingwilding760 Hmm, yeah. I think it was Darcy's pride that made him think she'd agree back then. He thought he's such a catch that any woman would agree. He's rich, handsome, believes himself to have great morals and personality at the time 😄 I don't fully blame him either. He's probably encountered a lot of women throwing themselves at him at this point. And like he said he thought he's basically doing her a favor (economically, socially). That's largelly why her rejection is so good. It was a slap in his arrogant face. A wake-up call. Yeah, I wonder 😄

[@confusedwhale]

Countenance is a good way to judge a person... After a significant time has passed. It's because life has a way of etching itself in a person's face.

[@michaelodonnell824]

I find it interesting that "Expressing emotions" and the ability to do so was so prominent in Regency English beauty standards, especially when one remembers that the English/British Empire was then in its Growth Spurt and the feature of the British/English Ruling Class was their insistence on maintaining a "Stiff upper Lip" - ie stoic reticence. These two demands seem completely contradictory to one another, unless something else is going on - one is expected to maintain the "Stoic Reticence" in the presence of "Inferiors" (Darcy at the "Country Dance") but equally expected to "express emotions" when among ones peer group... Would two such contradictory demands not lead to split personalities?...

[@raphaelledesma9393]

Not really. In more conservative cultures or groups, the expression of one's unguarded thoughts and emotions in public is still frowned upon or considered odd. It doesn't necessarily lead to "split personality" but it means there is a strict boundary between social groups.

[@judithstrachan9399]

Fashion makes hypocrites of us all?

[@rosemarielee7775]

Austin was writing on the cusp of the 18th and 19th centuries. The stereotypical "stiff upper lip" was a creation of the mid to late 19th century, possibly a reaction to the excesses of 'sensibility' in previous generations.

[@raphaelledesma9393]

@@rosemarielee7775 That is actually true now that I think about it. But then the individual had to straddle the boundary between deep expression and the fairly rigid rules of politeness and etiquette among the gentry of Regency England. Also, I'm unsure if Austen is on team sense or sensibility since though she wrote Marianne as a sympathetic character, she also made Marianne learn to think more prudently in the end.

[@SuperEohippus]

The idea of beauty in motion is interesting. Here in Finland we have a famous writer Tove Jansson, and I had heard a lot about her since I was a kid, and seen various photos of her. In the photos she looked somehow stiff and remote and although I enjoyed her books I wasn´t very attracted to her as a person until I saw some short films of her. Gee, what difference! In the films she was making fun of herself, doing little impromptu dances, smiling and laughing and jumping and being simply so charming that I almost fell in love with her.

[@cynthiastinson7059]

I am a first time viewer. Your dresses are lovely and accentuate your countenance ❤️.

[@nicoles_handle]

btw your room is so cute i love it!!

[@xochilguevara3429]

Very insightful! So fun!

[@summerleia]

Omg thank you, I never understood what countenance means and the word is used so often!!!

[@EllieDashwood]

Awww! Yay! I’m so glad it was helpful! 🥰💕

[@luisez.5888]

Thank you for this new perspective. I had always thought that what drew him towards Elizabeth was her being natural (no fuss, no bullshit), intelligent, sincere, and with a sense of humour. I thought he found her more appealing when he realized she was a mature person. Not a person looking for a rich man and endearing herself to him, but a rational being that was strong and self-sufficient. I thought his love grew out of respect for her personality.

[@vbrown6445]

I think that kind of deeper love-- a love with respect-- came after she rejected his first proposal.

[@faithful2thecall]

The concept of countenance does seem to be a lost art, particularly in an explicit sense. I think you still see it going on in a more implicit way, particularly where a person has a hard time explaining why they are attracted to another person. Smooth ad transition there. 😂 Jane Austen does make a good point about how countenance can be deceiving.

[@victoriasapko8086]

Byron's quote sounds a lot like those dudes who try to tell women to smile in public.

[@EllieDashwood]

Some behavior never changes. 😂

[@angeliev85]

For some reason this thought popped in my mind while watching: "for the sake of my ancestors and the future of my bloodline. I will need to stop scowling all the time." I think I'll print this on a shirt 🤣

[@louisee7339]

Great video! I would love to hear you talk about the theory that Mr Darcy is autistic, especially with regard to countenance - he isn't expressive on the outside often and can come across as standoffish but when he talks about something he loves and when he's in his own comfortable space at home with his sister he seems very different and Lizzie can see his wholeness

[@jacky3580]

The Italians highly prize “speaking eyes”

[@rebeccak7249]

Fascinating video! Thank you so very much!

[@mimishimaineko1173]

Hi, Ellie! I would love to see you present on one of your fascinating Austen topics at a JASNA Annual General Meeting!🧡

[@EllieDashwood]

Awwww!

[@nicoles_handle]

I can't believe i found your channel!!!!

[@jpotter2086]

Darcy was wallowing in denial.