Old novel, new theory

Jane Austen’s portrayal of William Darcy, in the novel Pride and Prejudice, with his characteristic reticence and off-hand behaviour may have made him a heart-throb among women, but an academic thinks that autism was the reason for his being tight-lipped. A book claims that Darcy suffered from the brain disorder that affects communication and interaction skills. The text also suggests that Mr Collins, the clergyman, was a sufferer and Lydia Bennet had attention deficit disorder. Phyllis Ferguson Bottomer, a speech pathologist in Canada, analyses eight characters from Austen’s classic novel, in a book that teachers are being encouraged to use to liven up GCSE English lessons, reports the Telegraph.

She argues that five characters from the Bennet family, and three from the Fitzwilliam clan, have fundamental difficulties with communication and empathy. It provides an explanation for some characters’ awkward behaviour at crowded balls, their frequent silences or the tendency to lapse into monologues rather than truly converse with others, she said.

Mr Darcy’s "unaccountable rudeness" can be blamed on "high- functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome", which Austen wrote about without knowing what it was, it is claimed. In her book, So Odd a Mixture, Miss Bottomer quotes Austen’s description of Mr Collins – "awkward and solemn, apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong without being aware of it". The author says it epitomises "some of the co-ordination problems those on the autistic spectrum can have". Mr and Mrs Bennet, the squabbling couple, are also said to be sufferers. Lydia, the heroine’s younger sister, is also described as having attention deficit disorder after she runs off with Mr Wickham. "I hope it will help people understand the sometimes subtle challenges faced by those on the mild end of the autistic spectrum and serve as a reminder not to judge too quickly," she added. — ANI

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