meanwhileinthegarden @meanwhileinthegarden - Tumblr Blog

i just read a washington post article on romcoms aging poorly due to the pushiness (and oft-stalkery conduct) of the male characters therein, and it got me thinking about pride and prejudice, and specifically darcy saying, “one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”

because, like, that’s the seldom-portrayed romantic dream in the patriarchal hellscape that is our world, isn’t it?

a dude being willing to say, “i understand if you don’t feel the same way about me, and i’ll leave you alone forever about this if my attention is unwanted.”

so simple, yet so wonderful in its basic human decency

adulthoodisokay

and dudes to this day wonder why women still swoon over darcy

thathealeygirl

Note also: Elizabeth turns down Darcy’s first proposal, and in the process, accuses him of doing some stuff he did not do (and also some stuff he totally did).

The next day, he surprises her on her walk. He hands her a letter, asks that she read it, and then takes off.

When this happened to me after I had turned someone down IN REAL LIFE, the letter contained a passionate argument to the tune of “actually you’re wrong and you do like me and you should go out with me” and it was creepy af.

Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth starts with: “Be not alarmed, Madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments, or renewal of those offers, which were last night so disgusting to you”. He goes on to set the record straight about the stuff he didn’t do (as well as the stuff he did) which is *actually relevant* to Elizabeth. And he, as promised, doesn’t romance her further.

It’s totally bizarre that even now, this can be considered unusually great dude behaviour.

pluckyredhead

Darcy’s first proposal: “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Darcy’s second proposal: “One word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”

His whole arc in the book is about learning to consider other people’s feelings and not just his own, but the fact that it’s expressed via who gets to talk and who is told to shut up is so, so telling. The first time around, he imposes his voice on her whether she wants it or not. The second time, he asks how she feels, and in exchange, offers her the gift of his silence.

And yeah, the fact that dudes still! have! not! learned! this! lesson! is exhausting.

ghost-of-bambi

How surprising is it that Pride and Prejudice was written by a woman, when many romantic comedies are produced and directed by men?

Answer: not at all

drsarcasticraspberry

200 years later and the world is still full of guys who think they’re a Mr Darcy when they’re actually a Mr Collins.

tzikeh

200 years later and the world is still full of guys who think they’re a Mr Darcy when they’re actually a Ross Geller.

cyberscully

as a procrastinating overachiever i feel like i don’t necessarily “half-ass” things, it’s more like a “3/4 ass”. like overall did i do pretty well? yeah. did i reach my maximum potential though? i think the fuck Not.

arabwife

me: *is overwhelmed by things i absolutely have the time to do*

wizardingworld

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) dir. Mike Newell

princesstigerbelle

Reblog the Princess ™ for future happiness and mental stability. Let her cuteness cleanse you.

valkoswolf

please princess™… i require your stability and happiness

princesstigerbelle

She is listening

unclefather

shromo-deactivated20181202

When you haven’t saved your file in awhile and suddenly the cursor freezes

vincent-van-gtg

fitnessdesire

Can’t risk it

laderdesders1

The duck of creativity. I waited so long for it.

tokijin-deactivated20170926

chinesegook

I reblogged this once and found $999 on the floor.

Reblog the Money Susie and you’ll have money coming your way too 💵💵

mareya

Holy shit I just won the lottery this really works

tomblogger

How do you find $999 on the floor?

chinesegook

I Reblogged The Money Susie Thats How .

iwiazumi-deactivated20150910

DO NOT!!! SCROLL PAST!!! THIS!! REALLY!! WORKS!! i didnt really believe in things like these but when i saw it on my dash i thought, well, why not, ive really been needing money for the new game i want to buy anyway. and i hit reblog. the next day my mom gave me $100 in CASH and when i asked her why she said that she just felt like increasing my allowance!!i dont know if shes going to keep on giving me $100 allowance so im reblogging again just to make sure

coolcud

Fuck it

spiderkiths-remade-deactivated2

Does it work?!!! Or is it a fraud?!

tokijin-deactivated20170926

Those Who Question The Money Susie Will Suffer 500 Million Years Of Debt

daringdraconicdeity

The real question is why the heck she stuffed money up her nose do you hAVE ANY IDEA WHERE THAT’S BEEN?

tokijin-deactivated20170926

kittensinswimmingpool-blog

Hi

virtueofjoy-blog

Wtf why does this work???

jessyulrich

I need some money so….

possumistic

If you see this

You were visited by the magic kitten of rest. Reblog to have a good night’s sleep.

sj0

you have been visited by the seven magic dragon balls your biggest wish will be granted but only if you reblog

hersheyhipster

Couldn’t risk it.

justjengie

didn’t realize they change colors. now I know o gotta wish.

pinayputa

THIS SHIT IS REAL I GOT THE JOB I WAS NUTS ABOUT BC I REBLOGGED THIS YESTERDAY maybe it’s a coinkidink but it okay just take the necessary steps to achieve what you’re wishing for and YOU CAN DO IT

deactivated8888-deactivated2018

cizayox

This is honestly what i look like in my minds eye

trevenanl-deactivated20200913

You know something? Cats just get it… they intrinsically know that if you get overwhelmed you should just pass out in a sunbeam in the middle of the floor because that’s how it be sometimes