This is a great illustration of the levels of meaning in Austen and I appreciate that you explained it so well because I also see people use this quote to say Lizzie loved him for his money. Which is so opposite to Austen’s meaning! I don’t think Elizabeth’s praise of Darcy is a comparison with her father though. We see no indication in the book that Mr Bennet poorly treats his tenants or servants. He does what’s required to get his daughters introduced to Mr Bingley. He doesn’t want his daughters to marry for money, which we know is huge for Austen. He misjudges Lydia but Darcy did the same thing with Georgiana, and both men learn their lesson. Mr Bennet is confident his daughters will do fine on their merits and while frustrating, it turns out he’s right, both Jane and Elizabeth marry excellent men who don’t care about their family’s shortcomings. Mr Bennet is one of the few people who at the end join “their family party at Pemberley.”
This is a great illustration of the levels of meaning in Austen and I appreciate that you explained it so well because I also see people use this quote to say Lizzie loved him for his money. Which is so opposite to Austen’s meaning! I don’t think Elizabeth’s praise of Darcy is a comparison with her father though. We see no indication in the book that Mr Bennet poorly treats his tenants or servants. He does what’s required to get his daughters introduced to Mr Bingley. He doesn’t want his daughters to marry for money, which we know is huge for Austen. He misjudges Lydia but Darcy did the same thing with Georgiana, and both men learn their lesson. Mr Bennet is confident his daughters will do fine on their merits and while frustrating, it turns out he’s right, both Jane and Elizabeth marry excellent men who don’t care about their family’s shortcomings. Mr Bennet is one of the few people who at the end join “their family party at Pemberley.”