It's really fascinating to see how many different ways there are to read Austen's words! My take on Bingley is that he's young and orphaned (hence his reliance on his older, cleverer friend's advice and lack of conviction in his own opinions), but also that he genuinely dislikes arguments. The latter I take from the Darcy/Bingley exchange in Chapter X:
Quote
"I see your design, Bingley," said his friend. "You dislike an argument, and want to silence this."
"Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room, I shall be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me."
I work with a guy who's intelligent (PhD from Oxford in chemistry) and very articulate in discussions, but he freezes up if it gets confrontational-- as in, when someone gets angry at him, his face goes blank and you can't pry a word out of him-- even when he's in the right. That's how I picture Bingley; not wishy-washy or stupid or sweet-tempered like an old school Disney princess... just a guy who will do just about anything to avoid an argument.
I'm trying to think of another scene in which there is a "dispute" with Bingley present-- are there any?
-Jean
