vengeance is mine

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.”

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.

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.

Frankenstein: The great outdoors, half-read books, unorthodox ideas, pencil sketches, easily frightened, contemplates existence a lot, dislikes winter

The Picture of Dorian Gray: Old bookshelves, bold fashion choice, loud laughs, philosophical conversations, kisses on the hand, can be a dick sometimes, loves new languages but never commits

Dracula: Red lipstick stains, white billowy dresses, always cold to the touch, flickering candles, has eye circles, wants to believe in ghosts, only likes religion for the aesthetic

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde: Filled notebooks, foggy evenings, afraid of failure, oversized clothing, secretive whispers, stays up too late, bottles up emotions