Darcy v Rochester

Pride and Prejudice is a great book/movie/TV series. On a rainy weekend afternoon, it's great to curl up on the couch and escape into the fantasy world of a perfect period drama.

But as a man, I prefer Jane Eyre.

Why? Let's compare the characters of Darcy and Rochester point by point.

Matrimony

• After overcoming the various difficulties comprising the plot, Darcy finally marries Elizabeth.
• An objection is raised when Rochester attempts to marry Jane, and Rochester ends up in a fight. 

Previous girlfriends

• Darcy seems to have had little interest in women before Elizabeth Bennet entered his world. 
• Rochester's ex is a psycho bitch.

Property

• Elizabeth likes Darcy's "beautiful grounds at Pemberley" which finally persuade her she loves him.
• Rochester's Thornfield burns to the ground. 

Morality

• Darcy conducts himself with the utmost propriety and intervenes to prevent Lydia's disgrace.
• Rochester is a thwarted bigamist. 

Money

• The Bennet girls marry into money. Darcy (and his friend Bingley) are impossibly rich. 
• Jane Eyre inherits her uncle's fortune and is therefore independently wealthy. 

Physical attraction

• Darcy is handsome and playing him grants an actor "sex symbol" status.
• Rochester: “Am I hideous, Jane?" "Very, sir: you always were, you know."

Fairy tale endings

• Darcy and Elizabeth live happily ever after.
• Rochester is blinded and loses a hand as Thornfield burns down and his first wife kills herself. 

So, as a man, I consider Rochester a much more interesting and realistic character, while Darcy is an oppressive ideal.