13 Signs that Mr. Darcy is Neurodivergent

You loved my posts about Anne of Green Gables, so today let’s have some more fun and look at a beloved fictional couple: Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice. In my opinion, both fall squarely into the neurodivergent category, and I’d love to tell you why!

13 Signs that Mr. Darcy is Neurodivergent

I think Mr. Darcy is on the Autism Spectrum. See if you agree after reading these thoughts.

#1. He prefers the Company of People He Already Knows

Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley [his friends], declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. ^{-pg 14}

“…he never speaks much, unless among his intimate acquaintances. With them he is remarkably agreeable.” ^{-pg 23}

Poor Mr. Darcy gains his reputation as a snob at his very first party, for the crime of being uncomfortable in a large, loud crowd of unfamiliar people, and preferring the safety of his own friends. I’m with you, Mr. Darcy! I wouldn’t be socializing either.

#2. He Appears Less Emotional

“Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,” said she, “did he come at all?” ^{-pg 346}

Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness overflown in mirth. ^{-pg 381}

Mr. Darcy, like many people on the spectrum, is accused of being cold and emotionless. It is a pervasive myth that autistic individuals don’t experience or express emotion. The reality is, those emotions are very much present and felt, they are just expressed in different ways.

#3. He Gives Confusing Social Cues

His manners, though well-bred, were not inviting… Darcy was continually giving offense. ^{-pg 20}

Elizabeth could not help observing… Mr. Darcy’s eyes were fixed upon her. …She could only imagine… that she drew his notice because there was something more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in any other person present. ^{– pg 57}

Poor guy can’t even flirt without giving someone the wrong idea! How awkward.

#4. And is Uncomfortable With/Misinterprets Other’s Social Cues

Miss Bennet, he acknowledged to be pretty, but she smiled too much. ^{-pg 20}

“…the serenity of your sister’s countenance and air was such as might have given the most acute observer a conviction that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be easily touched.” ^{-pg 205}

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.” ^{-pg 183}

As with expressing emotions, autistics express themselves just a little differently in social situations. Different does not mean incorrect or defective; just different. Autism is often described as a separate operating system (ie. Apple vs. Android), or a different language. The existence of one doesn’t make any others wrong. It just means that some translation is required.

[Spoiler Ahead] A major plot point in Pride & Prejudice happens when Mr. Darcy misreads Jane’s emotions/social cues. He believes that she doesn’t love his best friend, Bingley, and works to break them up before his friend gets too attached and has his heart broken. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Jane was very much in love, and is completely heartbroken when Bingley moves on. Later, when confronted by Elizabeth, Darcy admits his error and actively works to bring the couple back together again. This proves that his actions were a genuine mistake, and not because he was deliberately trying to be unkind.

“I have been misled by such error to inflict pain on her, your resentment has not been unreasonable.” ^{– pg 205}

#5. He Warms Up Slowly

He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. ^{-pg 28}

I actually laughed out loud when I re-read this line! Sounds a bit like “parallel play” to me.

#6. He Struggles to Trust People

“Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy, “than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.” ^{-pg 54}

“I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself.” ^{– pg 64}

Young Fitzwilliam Darcy was taught from an early age to put family first, and to see them as the only people worth going out on a limb for. [Spoiler Ahead] After being taken advantage of and betrayed by his childhood friend, then living with the rumours that this same “friend” spreads about him, Darcy retreats into himself and saves all of his tenderness for his little sister: the only person he knows he can safely love.

This kind of hurt doesn’t just happen to autistic individuals, of course, but it does happen to them frequently. Very few autistics escape the pain of being misused and abused by others.

#7. He is Devoted to Knowledge

“I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days at these.” ^{-pg 43}

While not every autistic individual is an academic, many are great readers, and many do fall in love with a certain subject that they enjoy researching. This is called a “special interest.”

#8. …And is Very Pragmatic

I won’t copy out several pages here, but you really must read the letter-writing scene between Darcy and Miss Bingley in Chapter 10. It is comedy gold!

Mr. Darcy doesn’t accept undue flattery and fluff. He is practical, and honest in his estimation of himself and others. He is realistic, takes his time forming opinions, and sticks to his convictions.

See also:
“There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil–a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome.”
“And your defect is to hate everybody.”
“And yours,” he replied with a smile, “is willfully to misunderstand them.” ^{-pg 64}

#9. He is a Rule-Follower and Secret-Keeper

She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There were few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended.” ^{-pg 318}

Darcy takes pride in fulfilling his duties and responsibilities, and cautions others from being too flippant about their own. He values order and completion. In Chapter 10, he warns his friend Bingley against leaving any obligations undone. He also values the trust others place in him, and is very discrete with other people’s personal information. This steadfastness and responsibility is often observed in autistic individuals, as they crave orderliness as a form of self-regulation.

#10. He Expresses Himself Better on Paper

“Will you do me the honour of reading that letter?” ^{-pg 203}

When confronted with big emotions, Darcy remains irritatingly silent. However, at first opportunity, he gathers his thoughts and writes them down. He is certainly not the first neurodivergent person to prefer writing to speaking. When your words and body language are frequently misunderstood, you look for a method of communication that can be reviewed, edited, and made as clear as possible.

#11. His Family has Similar Traits

Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable. ^{-pg 268}

Autism is heritable. The fact that Darcy’s sister is just like him is another indicator that his social awkwardness could be more than just personality.

#12. Signs Were Present in Childhood

“Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty…” ^{-pg 378}

Most psychologists look for signs of neurodivergence in the childhood history of their client before diagnosing an adult with ASD. I find it amusing that Darcy mentions being set in his ways from a young age. Jane Austen (the author) wouldn’t have known that modern doctors would be looking for this, yet she included it in her novel anyway. Coincidence? Or did she base her character on someone she knew?

#13. And Finally: He Falls in Love with Elizabeth Bennet

Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her. ^{-pg 58}

“I’m afraid, Mr. Darcy,” observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.”
“Not at all,” he replied; “they were brightened by the exercise.” ^{-pg 41}

It’s a frequently observed pattern that neurodivergents find each other, become good friends, and partner off. Really, when you process the world differently than the average person, finding someone who processes the way you do, and respects your way of thinking, is a such a relief! You keep those people close! The fact that Mr. Darcy was drawn to Elizabeth: another honest, straightforward, neurodivergent soul is completely unsurprising.

Also, most people look for partners with complimentary strengths and weaknesses. While Mr. Darcy’s Autism often causes him to step back socially and be slow to speak, Elizabeth’s ADHD allows her to socialize and break the ice more quickly. While Mr. Darcy is more cautious around new people, and opens up his heart slowly (due in no small part to being misunderstood and hurt in the past), Elizabeth keeps her heart open and is willing to let people in immediately, while also being wise enough to end relationships that prove to be unhealthy. Together, they are a pair of kindred souls who balance each other out beautifully.

By the end of the book, Elizabeth seeks forgiveness from Mr. Darcy for misreading him at the beginning; she understands that he had good intentions all along, and that she had been too quick to judge him. In the very same conversation, Darcy praises Lizzie for challenging him and helping him grow as person.

“Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous.” _{^{-pg 378}}

Aww! ❤ ❤

Conclusion

The above signs make me think that Mr. Darcy is autistic. He definitely flew under the radar quite well in his time, but I think this is due to all the supports already in place in his life. If he lived today, (and wasn’t fictional) he might not be so lucky.

I believe Mr. Darcy could have Autism Level One. This means that he is on the spectrum, but he is largely independent, and has lower support needs. Many people with an Autism Level One diagnosis are quite able to live independently, but struggle a bit in certain aspects of life management, relationships, and self-care.

• Since Mr. Darcy is independently wealthy–“Ten THOUSAND a Year!”–he does not need to worry about work, and all the social minefields that come with that.
• He is also wealthy enough to employ servants to cook, clean, do laundry, and keep things organized for him, eliminating many of the executive function challenges that other Level One’s face.
• He lives at a time when the wealthy employed valets: a one-on-one manservant who would have helped him with picking out clothing, getting dressed, preparing for social occasions, packing for trips, and more… not unlike an in-home caretaker!

Which is why we remember Mr. Darcy as just being a bit prideful, stand-offish, and cold, instead of struggling. Not unlike many Level Ones who can often go years without a diagnosis because their struggles are chalked up to “personality” instead of biology.

I’m thrilled that Darcy had the support he needed to live a full and happy life, and that he found a worthy partner in Elizabeth.

I hope you’re enjoying my analysis of fictional characters. My goal is to make these posts one part fun, and one part educational, because seeing neurodivergent traits in a favourite fictional character can make them less intimidating, and can make them make sense in a way that a checklist can’t.

Next week, I’ll be analyzing Lizzie Bennet, so don’t forget to subscribe!

And, if you simply can’t wait a week, check out the two posts I wrote about Anne Shirley, of Anne of Green Gables fame.

15 Reasons Why Anne of Green Gables is Neurodivergent

5 (More) Reasons Why Anne of Green Gables is Neurodivergent

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