Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Charlotte Brontë’s Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre) are members of an elite group in the British literary canon: the Byronic Heroes. But who is a better character? A better man? A better initially-ill-conceived-but-ultimately-heart-throbbing love interest? In the interest of SCIENCE, I will borrow Forever Young Adult’s Highly Scientific Analysis™ to find out!
Spoiler warning: Both Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice have several juicy twists and turns, many of which I will discuss in detail. I know it was practically impossible to escape high school English class without reading something by Jane Austen or a Brontë sister, but if you haven’t read these books and you want to remain pure, turn back now! If you have read these books or you just don’t care, read on!
Without further ado, let the great Darcy VS Rochester battle commence!
Round One: Tragic Character Backstory
Mr. Darcy: 5
Mr. Rochester: 10
Rochester is the clear winner here, by which I mean his backstory is so much more tragic than Darcy’s. Rochester was forced to marry a crazy, cruel woman for her fortune. He was chained to her until one of them died, and since he’s not a murderer he did the next best thing–lock her in the attic, forcing him to live with the constant guilt and hatred of his own house.
What does Darcy have to complain about? His adoptive brother almost ran away and eloped with his baby sister? Compared to a Brontë novel, if you enter a story with your wits, limbs and fortune intact, you’re doing pretty well for yourself.
Round Two: Relationship Progression
Mr. Darcy: 6
Mr. Rochester: 8
Darcy gets major points in my book for how he handled the whole Wickham/Lydia situation. It wasn’t his problem, after all. No one would have blamed Darcy for not stepping in to pay off Mr. Wickham and encourage him to marry Lydia, because no one would have ever imagined that he would do such a thing. He didn’t even do it to show Elizabeth that he loved her, because he wanted to keep it quiet. It’s the most selfless and wonderful thing Darcy ever does in the pages of Pride and Prejudice.
However, the nature and proximity of Jane and Rochester versus that of Elizabeth and Darcy means that Rochester wins this round. Jane and Rochester live in the same house, which gives them an abundance of solitary, intimate conversations away from the listening ears of mothers, sisters and friends. In spite of Mrs. Fairfax, Miss Ingram and Adele, Jane and Rochester often seem like the the only two people in the world–especially at night.
Rochester, however, gets a deduction for two counts: the existence of Miss Ingram and the existence of Mrs. Rochester. Rochester uses Miss Ingram to make Jane jealous (because he’s a thirteen-year-old girl) and he uses Mrs. Rochester to pretend to be single so he can pursue both Jane and Miss Ingram. He shows two faces: the gallant gentleman with Miss Ingram and the rakish one with Jane. I swear, that smile… He also gets major points for this swoon-worthy declaration of love:
I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you–especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if… two hundred miles… come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapt; and then I’ve a nervous notion I should take to bleeding inwardly.
Everyone all together now: “awwwww!”
Round Three: The Proposal
Mr. Darcy: 5
Mr. Rochester: 7
In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.
Oh Darcy. Darcy, Darcy, Darcy. The only way Darcy could figure out how to propose to the woman he loves is by insulting her. “I wish I didn’t love you,” he says. Did he mean “it’s not socially prudent for me to love, but I do anyways?” yes. Does this make his first proposal better? Nope. Darcy gets points for the iconic line “you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you,” but he loses a lot for the whole “your family is embarrassing and I kind of wish you didn’t belong to them” sentiment.
I offer you my hand, my heart, and a share of all my possessions… I ask you to pass through life at my side – to be my second self, and best earthly companion.
I gotta tell you, the only reason Rochester didn’t score a perfect 10 in this category is because he lied to Jane’s face about having a wife. Jane inadvertently calls him out on it when she responds to his proposal with “Your bride stands between us,” (meaning, of course, Miss Ingram). Rochester responds: “My bride is here” (meaning that he’s not going to marry Miss Ingram), all the while neatly sidestepping the fact that he’s… actually already married.
Round Four: The Gigantic Screw-Up
Mr. Darcy: -5
Mr. Rochester: -10
I guess Darcy “won” here, which means his gigantic screw-up was significantly less horrible than Rochester’s. Darcy’s main issue here is lack of communication. He didn’t tell Elizabeth the truth about Wickham, he didn’t ask her about Jane’s feelings for Bingley, and he was, for some reason, unable to communicate his feelings for Elizabeth without completely insulting her. Someone needs to give this kid a lesson in Human Conversation.
Rochester, on the other hand, needs a lesson in Not Lying to the Woman You Love and at least three semesters of How To Avoid Keeping Women Captive in Your Attic. The only good thing that can be said about Rochester in regards to the whole Mrs. Rochester vs Jane situation is that he refused to murder his wife. And when that’s the best thing you can say about someone’s actions, then you still have a pretty serious problem.
Round Five: The Happy Ending
Mr. Darcy: 10
Mr. Rochester: 7
Austen gave Darcy and Elizabeth a happy ending (in the 1995 BBC adaptation, they even had a double wedding with Jane and Bingley!), so they get full points here, because I’m a sucker for happy endings. Rochester and Jane got a couple of points knocked off because Charlotte Brontë just couldn’t control herself and had to a) destroy Thornfield Hall in a fire b) use the fire to make Rochester blind and c) took away one of his hands. I mean, seriously, Charlotte? Would it have killed you to let them be happy?
She did allow Rochester to get some of his sight back by the time Jane gave birth to their son, so that was… marginally nice of her.
Final Round: The Actor
Mr. Darcy: 9
Mr. Rochester: 6
Everyone and their mom has adapted Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre, both for the screen and the stage. For simplicities sake, I’m going to judge one actor each. For Pride and Prejudice, there’s only one adaptation worth mentioning (sorry Keira)–the BBC 1995 mini series, starring the wonderful Colin Firth.
Look at that face. That half-smirk that simultaneously mocks the world while wondering how you became such a beautiful, beguiling creature. The only reason Colin Firth didn’t get a 10 in this category is because he ended the film wearing this hat:
I mean, come on. It’s larger than his face.
For Mr. Rochester, I decided to go with the hauntingly gothic 2011 adaptation starring Michael Fassbender. While Fassbender gets initial points for his striking cheekbones and strong jaw…
…I had to deduct points because he ended the film looking essentially like a blind hobo:
Final Score:
Mr. Darcy: 30
Mr. Rochester: 28
It was a close call, but in the end it looks like not lying about having your insane wife locked in the attic works in your favor–Mr. Darcy wins!
What do you think? Is Rochester superior to Darcy in every way? Should I have thrown Emily Brontë’s Heathcliff into the mix as a dark horse in the running? Tell me in the comments!
Bethany said:
Thank you for NOT including Heathcliff! :) Withering Heights is a great novel, but Heathcliff is not swoonworthy. I like your scientific analysis from fya! ;)
Laura said:
Ugh, in my mind, Heathcliff will never be more than the lame-ass jerk-off who raped Isabella Linton.
Elinor Cackett said:
Where does rape come into it? She entered that marriage willingly, not to mention she was present for the dog incident and still decided she would marry him. She deserved all she got. The Linton’s are nothing but air – headed, preening ninnies that are definitely in the wrong story. The only point at which I respect her is when she runs away. Heathcliff showed promise but was destroyed by the people around him and so took revenge by destroying them. But the she proceeds to pamper her son into a weakling. Also as far as romantic (Byronic) heroes are concerned WHAT ABOUT HARETON?
Elinor Cackett said:
Also I choose Rochester. Darcy was always far too stiff for my liking. Austen had problems making her male characters believable and well -developed.
Helen said:
Stumbled upon your blog now! I really like it, but I must admit, I would be more inclined to go for Mr Rochester. In comparison, Mr Darcy seems a little, err, tedious. But maybe that’s just me! And I agree about no Heathcliff :-)
Laura Crook said:
Thanks for commenting! I read Pride and Prejudice before Jane Eyre, so I think I was a little biased, haha. And I have never been able to forget how Heathcliff treated Isabella, so he is a 100% swoon-free character for me.
Bethanie said:
Heathcliff killed Isabella’s dog. This renders him nothing more to me than cannon fodder. No sexiness in the world would move me after a man has hurt an animal. I just want to break his legs.
I’ll always love Mr. Rochester best. I liked Timothy Dalton’s version… the only Darcy who could woo me away would be Elliot Cowan from Lost in Austen. And even then he’d have to lose that wig.
Laura said:
It is sad that he killed her dog, but the way Heathcliff treated Isabella herself will always, without exception, overshadow everything else he does.
Cruelty towards animals? Bad. Cruelty towards a woman? Much, much worse.
Thanks for commenting!
Clem said:
Yes! I know that BBC”s 1982’s version of Jane Eyre was over thirty years ago, and, yes, the production values leave a bit to be desired, but Timothy Dalton’s portrayal is the definitive Mr. Rochester for me–the most true to character and looks. Totally swoonworthy!
Mieke Jacobs said:
Nothing appealing about Heathcliff, no argument there.
I believe I have seen every adaptation of both Jane Eyre (except the lost 1963) and Pride and Prejudice and don’t know if it’s fair to compare Fassbender with Firth. Both have a swoon factor to me and the hat and beard are a tie for me. My evaluations come from how they are when they are natural with each other.
Overall though… as a lover and a husband, I would have to vote for Rochester, hands down. There is much to be said about the greatness of Darcy, how many people rely on him etc., and being mistress of Pemberley. There is no doubt that Darcy and Elizabeth will be happy in private, but Rochester’s experience with women in general makes him a much more attentive and appreciative lover. He declares early in his sitting room conversations with Jane that she can redeem and revive him. I would much rather have that kind of a lover beyond marriage. A man who appreciates everything about what she brings to his life and has no regard what other people think.
Bree said:
I agree with everything, except actor which Rochester also should have won. Have you seen the 1983 BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre with Timothy Dalton?
Laura said:
Oooh, I have not! But I’ve loved Timothy Dalton ever since I saw him in the laughably horrible film Brenda Starr, and he’s like my 3rd favorite Bond, so I’ll definitely check it out!
Shirin said:
Hey just finished Jane eyre and absolutely love Mr Rochester (aside of course from the whole being married while pursuing Jane) Mr Darcy has always been some what of course an ideal but his inability to actually express any of his feelings or esteem the woman he loves will always put him behind Mr R in my book… Heathcliff? not even in the running my dear a more abominable character I have never seen…
Deb said:
Each time I read Jane Eyre it moves my heart so that I have to come back to reality. Pride an Prejudice is a very slow second to it
.you have to give your heart to Edward never to Fitzwilliam and nothing would make me like Heathcliff
Susan said:
Edward makes me swoon when he says to Jane, “Say, ‘Edward, give me my name.’ Say, ‘Edward, make me your wife.'” Darcy loses major romance points for the stiff, “if your feelings are the same… blah, blah.” I wonder which was richer….
Thanks for your post. :) Susan in Florida
Emily Ann said:
I read Jane Eyre in a week, due to not being able to put the novel down. It was so..addicting; the climaxing romance, the suspense behind the “mysterious” noises in the night, and of course the ever-lovable Mr. Rochester. I swoon every time I read the book. I read Pride & Prejudice shortly afterwards. It took me a good two months to read it. I just could not pick up on the plots or the characters. Mr. Darcy, while he is likable towards the end, is rather stiff and hard to understand. Mr. Rochester is a very blunt and ‘easy’ character.
Sha said:
I much prefer Darcy. Rochester strikes me as a complete psychopath.
TK said:
Rochester, hands down. And Timothy Dalton’s portrayal of Rochester is fantastic – no other actor can even come close. (I am big fan of Colin Firth, but it is not enough to sway my vote.) :)
Mare Walsh said:
Though I love Jane Austen’s novels and P & P, I have to choose Mr. Rochester over Darcy here. OK, he had the wife in the attic, but actually it would be worse for Bertha to be in the asylums then if you’ve ever read about mental health treatments in that era. She would have been more comfortable in jail ! So I don’t get on his case about it. True he was being cowardly by not telling Jane about the situation, but then of course , as what happened, she would never consent to being basically his mistress so that’s why he was a chicken about it. I mean it’s not like he’s cheating on his wife with a younger chick, or just looking for a good time, he really had no marriage and no medical treatment so Bertha could be a fully functional individual & wife. Rochester was better at expressing his feelings, felt Jane was his equal, saw through all the society stuff, had contempt for Blanche as nothing but a fortune hunter and didn’t care about Jane’s lowly background..Though I feel Darcy valued & loved Elizabeth, he just didn’t have the harshness of his life, even the blindness & limb loss to value as much as Rochester to have at least one happiness fulfilled in his life that he had thought loss forever. I love Colin as Mr. Darcy and as an actor, however Timothy Dalton as Mr. R is wonderful and so hot.even without diving in a pond !
Mare Walsh said:
OOPs sorry about my typos !
Amina said:
Colin Firth, hands down, gave the best performance so I’m glad you picked him to represent Darcy. But as for Rochester, I think you were a bit unfair in choosing Fassbender out of all the Rochester incarnations. He played Rochester well but in my opinion was not dark and broody enough. The best representation of Rochester was the actor who played him in the 1983 adaptation; Timothy Dalton!!! His staggering good looks and acting makes him swoon worthy and he MADE Edward Rochester swoon worthy. I would pick him over Darcy anytime. My reasons…
Darcy wrote off Liz as ‘not handome enough to tempt me,’ on meeting her. Reading it the first time, I was furious with him and felt so bad for her. When he proposed the first time, he made it plain he was degrading himself wanting to marry her, a girl with low connections and rather embarrasing family and making Liz feel he was doing her a huge favour by proposing at all. Liz basically told him to go screw himself, thank God.
Rochester didnt care if Jane had no family or a large dowry. After being tricked into marrying Bertha Mason and numerous affairs, he found true love with the plain, obsure girl he considered an ‘ elf’ and ‘strange, unearthly thing’. He loved her very much and said so- just a pity he had to keep his wife a secret from her.
Darcy’s behaviour was that of a spoiled brat and he was rather judgemental, until his well deserved scolding from Liz. He cleared himself regarding Wickham but he realised he did wrong regarding Jane’s feelings for Bingley-something he should have interfered with- and not seeing Liz as Liz, instead of a member of a rather silly family (excluding Jane). However, he appeared to be a very kind and protective brother to Georgiana.
Rochester was a victim of circumstances and he paid for it. He was a desperately unhappy man, tied to a permanently insane woman and finding disappointment here and there…making him cynical and broody, until Jane came into his life, putting him in a dilemma. True love at last but cannot tell her his secret, for fear he would lose her forever. He’s flawed but that made him more of a Byronic hero. Edward Rochester hands down.