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“[F]or a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them, you see, uncommonly pretty.
This first introduction to Mr. Bingley in Chapter 3 sets him up as Darcy’s temporal opposite and introduces his friendly, agreeable nature. Bingley’s enthusiasm is endearing and the compliment, which includes Elizabeth and her sisters, makes the reader instantly like him. His delight at the ball also makes Darcy’s sour and prideful attitude all the more shocking by contrast. If Mr. Bingley, who is Darcy’s social equal, can enjoy himself so genuinely in this company, then Darcy’s distaste seems like snobbish stubbornness.
“If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,” cried Bingley, “it would not make them one jot less agreeable.”
Bingley’s response to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst’s class snobbery in Chapter 8 emphasizes his unpretentious and genuinely kind character. He judges the Bennet sisters, and particularly Jane, on how much he enjoys being around them, not based on superficial trappings like how connected their family is. Furthermore, this statement strengthens the reader’s conviction that he is a good match for Jane because they both are almost stubbornly determined to see the good in people over any and all objections.
[I]f, as you were mounting your horse, a friend were to say, “Bingley, you had better stay till next week,” you would probably do it—you would probably not go—and, at another word, might stay a month.
Darcy’s comment in Chapter 10 on how easily Bingley is influenced by his friends is another reflection of Bingley’s agreeableness and foreshadows Bingley’s eventual sudden departure from Netherfield. Bingley’s natural humility means that he often relies on the opinions of his friends and family for guidance, signaling that he respects those he cares about greatly. However, just as Jane puts her feelings in danger by believing the Bingley sisters to be her friends, Bingley’s complete faith in others’ judgment keeps him from trusting his own feelings. His allowing his friends’ opinions to lead him almost destroys his relationship with Jane.
