Mr Bingley vs. Mr Darcy

True Jane Austen fans everywhere may jump on me for saying this, but I have a confession to make.

When it comes to which male hero I admire most, it isn't Mr Darcy.

It's Mr Bingley.

Of course I understand all the charms involved with the character of Mr Darcy. He embodies many qualities that drive women wild. The broodiness, the sulking in corners, and the erotic way in which HE changes for HIS woman. I know why women love Mr Darcy-I've fallen prey to that mentality many times before (if you don't believe me see my post on bad boys) I understand what is so seductive about a Mr Darcy.

But from the very first time I ever read Pride and Prejudice it was Mr. Bingley, and not Mr Darcy, that won my heart.

The most obvious reason for this of course is that when I fell most deeply in love it was with a Mr Bingley. I married a Mr Bingley.

What can I say? I find the qualities of being openly warm, kind to everyone, and an excellent conversationalist prizes above anything Mr Darcy may have to boast of. Add that to the fact that he loves to dance, he won't stand for his friends not having a good time at a ball, and he's extremely generous, and you've got one heck of a dream man. Just ignore the bratty sisters and bore of a brother in law and he's near perfect. (Besides with the exception of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy's relatives are nothing to write home about either.)

There are other reasons for this too though. I mean let's face it. I'm way too insecure to ever feel confident that a man who slighted me in our first several meetings could ever truly love me and would always be faithful to me. Mr Darcy is the type of man that would always make me wonder if I really had his affection. After all if he so easily changed for Elizabeth, couldn't he easily change back if he got bored of her? (Of course I know Lizzy is too fascinating for Darcy to ever get bored of her but bear with me here.)

With Mr Bingley what you see is what you get. So he doesn't change much throughout the book. And he's a little ADD. But aside from Jane, he's probably the most genuinely honest and kind person in the story. And when the object of his love is before his eyes he's animated, enthusiastic, and can't do enough for her (remember when Jane was sick?)

I know that this may alienate me from my mother (who is a Colin Firth Darcy woman tried and true) and the rest of the women in the real world, not to mention Bridget Jones and all her friends. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I find it more attractive when a man is open and honest from the get go. And my lack of self confidence necessitates knowing that the man likes me right away and has never wavered in that position.

So the good news girls is that you've got less competition for Mr Darcy. You can have him.

I want Mr Bingley.