The Good, The Bad, And The Boring: The Men Of Jane Austen’s World

Jane Austen wrote some of the dreamiest and most revolting male characters throughout her six major novels. Throughout the years, her work has left readers with a breadcrumb trail of traits that provide insight into Austen’s idea of her ideal man in the late 18th century.

The Honorable “Darcys”

Fitzwilliam Darcy is likely Austen’s most well-known love interest from her 1813 classic Pride and Prejudice. Darcy is the blueprint for any romantic’s idea of what a lover should be but specifically exemplifies what Austen found to be ideal traits in a partner. Edmund Bertram and Henry Tilney are also great examples of her ideal partner; all of these men have proven to be more than just pretty faces — they’ve got character.

Being kind, honest, and more than just their financial status seem to be the most important characteristics of these “great men.” Kind: from the moment Fanny Price arrives at Mansfield Park, Edmund takes her under his wing and comforts her in a time when she is adjusting to a new lifestyle while being a very shy girl. Edmund initially took on a brother role with Fanny, offering her companionship and safety by standing up to her aunt for abusing Fanny. As they grew older, Fanny’s feelings grew to romantic love because he had been and always would be the kindest person she knew (even if it took a while for Edmund to feel the same about her).

Honest: Henry Tilney, a clergyman through and through, disliked the deceptive nature of high society in Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey. Though his position gave him high status, he was a man who believed in acting and behaving authentically to oneself regardless of judgment from others. His honest personality is one of the main reasons he found Catherine so enticing. Her naive and blunt nature was amusing and reassuring to him. He loved her because he knew he was seeing her for who she truly was, just as he had always lived.

More than just his financial status: Although Pride and Prejudice‘s Darcy can easily fit within the “snob of society” role because of his abounding wealth, he remains a pure and humble man. He is not one to flaunt his money, always dressed in plain clothing free of fancy embellishments; he uses his money to aid others; he cares for his sister; he saves Elizabeth’s sister Lydia from a ruined marriage and reputation by paying for her wedding and dowry, and most importantly, he doesn’t care about the financial status of others. His reasoning for separating Jane and Mr. Bingley wasn’t due to her lack of wealth as Elizabeth so suspected, but because he genuinely thought he was helping a friend. Darcy is an honorable man whose money doesn’t change his good character.

Jane Austen’s “Winning” Traits

From Darcy, Edmund, and Henry, we learn that the main thing Austen looks for in a partner is a high moral compass. These men may be foolish with their words at times and initially blind to the love they were shown, but they are kind, honest, and more than just their status in society. Jane Austen admired a man who was empathetic and mindful of others.

Devils In Disguise

Jane Austen was great at writing the good guys, but her bad guys were even more interesting. Aside from their villainously shaped sideburns, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Elliot, and Mr. Willoughby all have evil qualities in common. While these men may seem to be “everything they ought to be,” they all come to reveal darker motives lying beneath the surface.

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• In Pride and Prejudice, Wickham was, outwardly, a perfect gentleman officer. Elizabeth was enamored by his charm and forward demeanor. Little did she know, all he wanted was to find a bride and collect the money that came along with her. He unsuccessfully did so with Darcy’s sister and successfully went back in for a lower sum of money with Elizabeth’s sister Lydia.
• In Sense and Sensibility, Willoughby leads Marianne on, letting her fall hopelessly in love, while Eliza Williams and his illegitimate child wait for his return. When Willoughby is disinherited by his aunt, he ditches Marianne for the next most gullible woman with bigger pockets attached to her name. Marianne’s heart was broken, his child remained unfathered, and his new wife was trapped in a deceptive relationship.
• In Persuasion, Elliot seemed to be a prestigious man with nothing but a big head. But later, Austen reveals that Elliot is much more. Not only is he a pompous man but he admitted that he married his last wife for her dowry and when she passed away, he was handed a handsome inheritance. His personality and history gave Anne more than enough reason to run from his romantic advances.

The Undesirables

The traits that connect these horrible men are their complete lack of a moral compass and an abundance of selfishness. They act solely in service of themselves, never considering who they hurt in the process. Unlike our “Darcys,” these men have no empathy. Their greed and conceit overpower any of their potential charisma. Jane Austen hated a selfish and boastful man.

Honorable Mention: Boiled Potatoes

While Jane Austen has a clear disdain for the Wickhams of the world, she also can’t stand a dull man. Our prime example: Mr. Collins.

Mr. Collins was, by all means, a nice man. His intentions were pure: find a wife, have kids and provide for them until the end of days. But the issue wasn’t with his moral compass (God surely had him covered on that) — the issue was with his lack of personality. Much like the potatoes, he loved so much in that iconic scene, Mr. Collins was boiled and bland. A very important trait Jane Austen’s leading women seem to gravitate toward is the ability to challenge. Mansplaining is not the goal here. Austen’s most loved men challenge women as equals. There is space to challenge each other because they are not viewed as one’s property or just a child-bearer; women are intelligent and stand on level ground.

Jane Austen Was Ahead Of Her Time

While a majority of women of her time were looking for the richest man to wed, and most men saw themselves as God’s gift to women, Jane Austen was an outsider who had her own opinions on what qualities a husband should have. Sure, today, one would argue these traits are just above the bare minimum, but Austen’s ideals were radical for her time. Much like herself and her life away from the judgmental society that the 17-18th century people so often enjoyed. So cheers to her for giving us male love interests that we can still find romantic to this day.