Quick Answer
In Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, it is never explicitly stated whether Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy have children after their marriage. However, based on contextual clues and Austen’s style, most readers assume that they do go on to have children together.
Do They Have Children in the Novel?
In Pride and Prejudice itself, which ends right after Elizabeth and Darcy’s wedding, there is no definitive mention of them having children. Austen leaves this part of their married life up to the reader’s imagination.
Some key points:
- There are hints that Elizabeth will be a mother: For example, after accepting Darcy’s second proposal, Elizabeth says she hopes she will take advantage of his great income “when their marriage throws increased expenses on their hands.” This implies they will have a family and increased costs.
- Children are never directly referenced: Austen never outright states in the text that Elizabeth gets pregnant or has babies after marrying Darcy.
- Austen’s novels typically end at marriage: During the Regency era, Austen’s novels focused on courtship and romance, and generally concluded once the heroine married.
- Austen leaves the future open-ended: Rather than reveal definitively whether her main characters have children, Austen allows readers to imagine the possibilities.
So within the text of Pride and Prejudice alone, it is ambiguous whether Elizabeth and Darcy have children. Austen does not provide any definitive proof either way before the novel ends.
Why Readers Assume They Have Children
Despite the lack of conclusive evidence in Pride and Prejudice, most readers feel confident assuming that Elizabeth and Darcy ultimately do have children for several key reasons:
It was expected for the time period
In the early 19th century when the novel is set, it was considered normal and desirable for married couples to have children. Bearing children was central to many women’s role and purpose, and essential for dynastic continuity among the gentry. As Darcy is a wealthy landowner, he would be expected to produce an heir to inherit his estate.
Austen’s style and values
Throughout her writing, Austen promotes marital love, companionship and domestic comfort. Children often feature as part of a happy resolution. So even without direct mention, it can be inferred that children likely complete Elizabeth and Darcy’s happiness.
References to the future
There are subtle hints looking to the future after Elizabeth and Darcy’s wedding, including Elizabeth’s anticipation of “their marriage throwing increased expenses on their hands.” Such clues suggest Austen implicitly envisioned children in their future.
Adaptations of the novel
From the 1940 film to the 1995 BBC mini-series and more, most adaptations of Pride and Prejudice portray Elizabeth and Darcy having children. These often include scenes of Elizabeth pregnant, or with babies and young children. Though not canonical, such adaptations influence readers’ imagination and assumptions.
The conventions of family sagas
Sequels, continuations and adaptations of Pride and Prejudice often introduce children for Elizabeth and Darcy. While not authoritative, the prevalence of children in these extended family sagas also shapes assumptions that they did have children.
Wish fulfillment and romantic imagination
Many readers desire to see Elizabeth and Darcy happily settled with children as part of their happily-ever-after. The presence of children in readers’ romantic imagination further cements the assumption that Darcy and Elizabeth would have had children.
How Many Children Might They Have Had?
Though the exact number is unknown, readers can make educated guesses at how many children Elizabeth and Darcy may have had based on average family sizes among the 19th century gentry.
Factoring in mortality rates
In the Regency era, the infant and child mortality rate was high, with about 30% of children not surviving to adulthood. This was true even among wealthier families. So Elizabeth and Darcy would need to have several children to ensure heirs surviving to adulthood.
Comparison to Jane Austen’s family
Jane Austen’s father George was a clergyman with a comparable income to Darcy. He and his wife Cassandra had eight children, though only six survived to adulthood. This provides a reasonable comparison point for the size of Elizabeth and Darcy’s family.
Social expectations and norms
Among the landed gentry in Regency England, family sizes were large, with four to six children common. Though the heir was most important, high infant mortality meant spare heirs were essential. As an affluent gentleman, Darcy would have felt social pressure to sire a sizable brood.
Motivation for a large family
As an only son, Darcy might have been especially motivated to have several children to produce heirs, provide companionship, continue the family line, and fill up the rooms of Pemberley!
Balancing factors
However, the Darcys were also an old, well-established family, so the pressure for a very large family size was less acute. Elizabeth’s youthful vivacity may have cooled over time into a preference for a slightly smaller family after her initial children.
A plausible conclusion
Given these factors, it seems reasonable to imagine Elizabeth and Darcy ultimately had four to six children together, with four or five surviving to adulthood. This fits both the historical context and their characters.
What Can Be Inferred About Their Children?
Though Austen gives us no details about Elizabeth and Darcy’s potential children, we can make some educated guesses based on their personalities and background:
At least two sons
As a wealthy landowner, Darcy would have needed at least two sons – an heir and a spare. The future of Pemberley rested upon having sons to pass it down to.
A combination of handsome sons and beautiful daughters
With two attractive and vivacious parents, it seems likely their children would also be pleasing to look at and lively in personality.
Daughters who resemble Elizabeth in wit and stubbornness
Elizabeth’s strong principles and intellectual qualities would likely be passed down to her daughters. She would want them to think independently.
Sons who inherit Darcy’s reserve and loyalty
While less stern than his father, Darcy did have a reserved mien and a strong sense of duty. His sons might take after him in that way.
Many would be musically inclined
Music was an essential part of a gentle upbringing. Elizabeth and Darcy would ensure their children learned to play instruments and sing.
They would be clever but benevolent
With parents who overcame pride and prejudice, their children would hopefully follow their example and be intelligent, compassionate and empathetic.
How Would Elizabeth and Darcy Be as Parents?
Based on their respective character strengths and weaknesses, Elizabeth and Darcy might have approached parenting in the following ways:
Elizabeth would be a devoted, nurturing mother
Her affectionate nature and warm spirits would translate into an active, engaged parenting style. She would be deeply involved in her children’s care and education.
Darcy would be a proud, protective father
His children’s status as Darcys would augment his natural pride and protectiveness. He would think it his duty to provide them every advantage.
Elizabeth would teach the girls to be independent
She would raise her daughters to think for themselves by encouraging their reading, wit and principles. She knew the obstacles faced by women firsthand.
Darcy would raise the boys to be gentlemen
He would instruct his sons in the proper management of the estate and exemplify the courtesy, civility and honor of a gentleman. But he would be less stiff than his own father.
Elizabeth would ensure all the children were kind
With her keen understanding of character, Elizabeth would nurture empathy and benevolence in all her children. She knew the cost of poor behavior.
The Darcys would maintain discipline with mutual respect
Elizabeth and Darcy would have a united front regarding manners and principle. They would discipline firmly but lovingly, maintaining their children’s respect.
They would cultivate their children’s passions and talents
The Darcys would indulge their children’s interests, whether in music, horseback riding, reading or other pursuits. They wished for their children’s happiness.
Elizabeth and Darcy would cherish time with their family
After waiting so long to find each other, the Darcys would greatly value their time together enjoying Longbourn, Pemberley and their children. Family would bring them joy.
How Would the Children’s Lives Play Out?
The destinies of the fictional Darcy children can only be speculated, but they might unfold in the following ways:
Education with governesses and tutors
Their early education would come from governesses at home, followed by tutors and more advanced study. Boys might attend Cambridge like their father.
Seasons in London society
When older, the Darcy daughters would be presented at court and experience their seasons in London. Their beauty and dowries would make them popular.
Inheriting estates and titles
As they came of age, the eldest Darcy son would inherit the family estate, while younger sons might inherit from Fitzwilliam relatives. Daughters would gain dowries.
Making high society marriages
With the Darcy family standing, the children would make grand marriages with other prominent families – hopefully for love, like their parents!
Visiting Rosings and Hunsford
Lady Catherine would of course demand frequent visits from her nephews and nieces at Rosings. The children would also visit Mr. and Mrs. Collins.
Mixing with the Bennets
The children would stay often with their maternal grandparents on the Bennet side, mixing with their many lively cousins like the Bingleys’ children.
Carrying on the Darcy legacy
As adults, the Darcy children would further the family legacy in society, business, politics and beyond. But they would follow their parents’ model of balancing tradition, duty and love.
Conclusion
While Jane Austen never provides definitive proof that Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy have children, most readers feel it is an authorized assumption, in keeping with the characters, themes, and era of Pride and Prejudice. Though the details remain imaginative speculation, many readers find joy in envisioning the Darcys as proud parents, raising a brood of charming children in a loving family at Pemberley. This happy picture affirms the story’s central messages about overcoming prejudice, cherishing true companionship, and spreading more goodness in the world.