Jim,
I think there is room for more than one possible interpretation in Jane Austen's text regarding most of the characters. I think that in this thread as well as the recent other thread where Mr. Bennet's character was discussed, it was made clear that while some readers have a more critical opinion of Mr. Bennet as a father and husband, you have a more benevolent interpretation of his character. I think that's fine. There has been a recent discussion about whether Bingley is weak and should be criticized or he is a sensitive man trying to do the best for Jane in not returning (and no, I don't mention this to restart that discussion!). There is the shy Darcy/proud Darcy controversy, for another example. People are rarely convinced to abandon their preferred interpretation.
On the other hand, saying that other characters have their own faults doesn't excuse Mr. Bennet for his ones.
Also, I'd like to point out that you either think that Elizabeth is
"bitterly and foolishly prejudiced (...), in the main (she herself) is sarcastic towards Mr Collins and more so, Darcy himself?"
or that
"Darcy is totally dislikable at the onset, bored, rude, over-bearing, class conscious,judgemental and utterly crass in his later proposal"
If he is totally dislikeable then Elizabeth is not bitterly prejudiced for not liking him. To clarify my standpoint, I would say the faults of both are present but perhaps not so extreme as your comments suggest.
Also, I was surprised by this idea:
Quote
Whatever he is later made, the fact remains that he did what he did to win Lizzie, ie to suit his own ends, not change the world. (...) He was just looking after number one. Take Lady Catherine as an example of the world he moves in and the attitudes of class consciousness. He then gets his wallet out and buys everything and everyone back into shape and she marries him? Good old Darcy...(-:
I don't know if this is your real opinion or you only get carried away by the discussion, but if this is what you think then it's again not the only accepted interpretation. I think, and have heard the same opinion several times, that the moral height of Darcy's character is actually that he does what he does (I suppose you mean being courteous towards the Gardiners at Pemberley, saving Lydia, telling Bingley the truth)
not to win Lizzy but because he realizes it's the right thing to do. He didn't even intend for Elizabeth to know of his actions re Lydia so that she doesn't feel indebted to him. He didn't intend to come back to Longbourn to "claim her" until Lady Catherine inadvertently doesn't give him hope that Elizabeth might be receptive to him.
You have the right to your own opinion, of course, just don't argue that it's the only reasonable opinion.