An Indefinite Ranking of Jane Austen's Menfolk

It's that time of year again.  My annual (in actuality, bi-monthly) period drama marathon.  This time of year, I devour whatever period drama I can get my hands on, mainly sticking within the British/Jane Austen variety with a few others sneaking into the mix.  As one may be able to infer, I am well versed in the men of these dramas, both through numerous reads and rereads of the novels and countless viewings of the miniseries and films.  From viewing to viewing, and as I age, I find my ranking of the Austen men change.  So I thought I would write a post about my most recent ranking, from good to best, for your enjoyment and whimsy.

8. Mr. Edmund Bertram

I begin with the dear dunce Edmund.  For all intents and purposes, Edmund is charming, sweet, and an all-around good guy.  He cares for Fanny deeply but allows himself to be swayed by the insufferable Mary Crawford.  Edmund is just kind of stupid, am I right?  He ranks last for just how ridiculously ignorant he is to Mary's facade and Fanny's feelings.  Leaving Fanny in the friend-zone, he gets caught up with the conniving and manipulative Crawfords who just completely stink things up for every one of the Bertrams.  After much heartache, a couple proposals, and one big realization, Edmund finally figures out that Fanny is in love with him and he is in love with her.  And there was much rejoicing.

*face palm*

7. Mr. Charles Bingley

Oh, you sweet spirit.

Dear, dear Charles.  The good-humored, lovely man.  He is so sweet and cares for Jane so attentively.  Except for the fact that he let himself be persuaded by his friends that she did not care for him.  But all the while, as they are separated, he pines.  How he pines!  If only he were more assertive.  I mean, come on, man.  Grow a pair!  He's kind of the champ throughout the whole novel though.  From the beginning, he remained unfazed by the ridiculousness of Mrs. Bennet and the younger Bennet sisters.  Probably the most "agreeable" of all the Jane Austen men considering no one dislikes him in the slightest (although I'm sure the entire Bennet family had a few choice words for him when he left Netherfield without giving any word of when he would be returning).

6. Mr. Henry Tilney

I rank Mr. Tilney lower as we are only afforded a short time with him as Northanger Abbey is the shortest of all Jane's novels.  The poor second son has to get by on his wit and cleverness and eventually flirts his way into our hearts.  He even defies his father and proposes to Catherine.  And, of course, he's handsome.

5. Mr. Edward Ferrars

Mr. F.  A man who honors his word and keeps the promises he makes.  I admire this quality in him but also kind of want to hit him upside the head.  He lied to everyone about his secret engagement to Lucy Steele and allowed himself to become attached to another woman.  Well, maybe I can't blame him for that.  But, I love that Edward cared for the Dashwood girls and showed them the kindness that his sister refused to even consider.  He is a man of honor and though he did truly love Elinor, he did make a promise to Lucy and kept it despite losing everything... until, of course, Lucy ran off with his older brother with the bigger fortune leaving Edward free to pursue Elinor.

Yes, Edward, we can.

4. Colonel Christopher Brandon

As a girl, when I was first introduced to Jane Austen and Sense & Sensibility I was never really fond of the Colonel.  He was old and kind of boring.  But as I woman, I've come to appreciate the reservedness of the Colonel and, upon further inspection, how truly and deeply he feels.  Upon first glance, he's not the man every person dreams about but behind the stoic, unflappable exterior we find a sensitive, loving, passionate man.  He makes for the perfect antithesis to Willoughby who feels outwards and expresses freely in an attempt to cover his own vain inclinations.  The Colonel still mourns the loss of his beloved and even cares for her child!  His love for Marianne is so endearing and sweet and finally she comes to see the man underneath and consents to marry him.  Likewise, the Colonel has made his way up through the ranks and into my heart.

Still waters do in fact run deep.

3. Captain Frederick Wentworth

"O Captain! My Captain!"  Indeed.  Besides his amiable qualities and exemplary military rank, he also pens probably the greatest letter ever written in both fiction and real life.  He remains devoted to the same woman for 8 years even after she refused him because of her family and his lack of wealth.  When he finally sees her again, after all that time, he tries to resent her but he can't because he loves her so much and cares for her well-being.  That letter though!!!  "You pierce my soul.  I am half agony, half hope."

I am just all agony really.

2. Mr. George Knightley

I'll admit it.  I am an Emma.  I am spoiled, fiercely independent, optimistic, and a bit headstrong.  So of course I would be drawn to Mr. Knightley.  He's exactly what Emma wants and needs.  He compliments Emma so well and never tries to alter her or her character.  He checks her and tells her when she's crossed a line but she's able to hold her own against him.  And they fight!  I love it when they fight. Their relationship is a special one as we get to enjoy watching it evolve over the course of the novel.  Mr. Knightley is grumpy and a bit disapproving but he has a good heart and supports Emma.  He even goes to her to comfort her after hearing of Frank Churchill's engagement because he believed her to be in love with him.  He does this even though the whole point of his being away was to try and get over her!  Also, he's kind of a Baldwin.

Don't think I'd forget you, Paul.

1.  Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy

It is a truth universally acknowledged.  Were you expecting someone else?  Honestly, anyone who says that Darcy isn't their number one is lying and probably weird.  I love all these men but not one of them, at any stage in my life, will be able to shine a light to this man.  Darcy was my first Austen man and will always have a special place in my heart.  Never mind the fact that every version of him on the screen is utter perfection.  From the beginning, Darcy forms an attachment to Elizabeth and she doesn't even have to try to win his affection.  In fact, she loathes him.  And then, after the first proposal and subsequent rejection, he works on all the character faults Lizzie called him out on.  Did you see how cordial he was to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner?  He changed, for her.  Isn't that sexy?  A guy who strives to be better for the person he loves?  I always thought that Darcy made the first proposal thinking that Elizabeth couldn't possibly reject because of his fortune and her family situation and then when she does object he's forced to examine himself.  He realized he couldn't win her with money and most certainly not by insulting her.  So instead he strives to deserve her and that is definitely what we want in our men.  He's also handsome and rich.  Ridiculously rich.  I mean, Pemberley?  Come the freak on.

Yeah boy.

Disclaimer: I do not include other period drama men as that list will be too cumbersome and take years to arrange and rank.  The Austen men are a bit easier to handle.