why was mr darcy looked at with much admiration at first?

Hi, Evelkna! To answer your question, we should first consider the “time” in which this story took place. Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen was written in the 19th century. During this century, land and property ownership was a big deal. If you owned a lot of land or a gigantic estate, you were seen as successful, powerful, wealthy, and worthy. Property was also passed down or given to the male members of the family — even to the extended family if there weren’t any sons in the immediate family. Daughters did not receive the property.

So, why is Mr. Darcy looked at with admiration? Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley both owned large, country estates. They were wealthy and powerful — and, most importantly, they were single! Okay, imagine this: you’re a single, young woman. You can’t inherit your father’s property due to the laws in your country; however, you can marry a man with a great estate and be secure for the rest of your life. The women, upon hearing that these men were rich and single, of course flocked to them. It was a potential ticket to living an upper-class lifestyle with a secure, grand estate.