Is that you Mr Darcy?

“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you".

-Mr. Darcy”

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen 

We are a few weeks into the New Year, and hows 2015 going of you? Have you stuck to those New Years resolutions or are they already a distant memory? Either way, the new year, new you theme continues, particularly in the department of relationships.

It is a known fact that January is the 'break up' month. People avoid heartbreak over the holiday season, and the welcoming of a new year provides them with the justification to end their relationship, even if they were unhappy back in November!

Whether you have recently broken up with a boyfriend or girlfriend in search for a new start, or have decided to seek out your soulmate, if there is such a thing, you might refer to one of the most classic romantic tales ever produced, Pride and Prejudice by the English treasure, Jane Austen. This is a tale about 'Mr. Right', the one made for you... Or is it? Can this chivalrous fairytale be applied to everyday life, especially in this modern age? I assure you it can. Although there will be no glamorous balls or Georgian dresses, we can take the principles of this relationship to our society. Only in 2001, which actually seems a long time ago now, Bridget Jones's Diary was released onto our screens, a modern day adaptation of our classic romantic tale. For those of you who never realised it, Daniel Clever (Hugh Grant) plays the notorious Mr Wickham and Mark Darcy- big hint there (Colin Firth) plays our hero Mr Darcy. In the end, the slightly clumsier and ungracious Bridget Jones sees through Clever's wicked ways and embraces her love for Mark Darcy.


So what does this classic novel teach us about love? (not to sound too cliche) And is there a Mr Darcy out there for us all?

• Elizabeth Bennet was intelligent and was able to challenge Darcy in conversation, something for women out there to remember, not to be repressed or plainly, don't date someone who you can't talk to for hours or doesn't see you as their equal! 
• Mr Darcy is rich and profitable, I'm not saying go after a rich boy, not at all, but understand if you are ambitious in your goals, find someone who shares this ambition with you. You won't feel comfortable dating someone who only wants to watch the football on a saturday night with a takeaway when your ideal saturday night is a trip to see the latest release followed by a pizza at an Italian restaurant. 
• Don't date someone who you feel you cannot share things with, the thing with Mr Darcy, although he can be abrupt, he does divulge his feelings. 
• Fundamentally, Mr Darcy is a gentleman. Its the little things such as opening doors, giving up their seat for you that all add to that gentlemanly manner. However, those bigger things such as listening to what you have to say, being considerate and thoughtful, and expressing concern about your welfare are all equally important traits of a gentleman. 
• Most importantly, Mr Darcy appreciates Elizabeth Bennet for who she is and this is famously  echoed in Bridget Jones's Diary with Mark Darcy claiming he liked Bridget 'Just as she is'. Don't change for the sake of someone else, because in the long run you will regret it. 

Although these traits may be recognised as 'ideal', they are out there! Who's to say they are not embedded in a friend of yours? Remember, don't reject everyone because these traits don't appear on the surface, dig a little deeper and you never know, you may find your Mr Darcy. 

End of Pride and Prejudice (2005)- starring Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen

'Just as you are' scene from Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)- starring Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth