Mr. Darcy comes to Princeton

The tragic death of the true gentleman has gone hand in hand with the decline of tail coats and top hats. The last vestiges of chivalry are limping through their final paces, as women complete their assault on this imbalance that helped shape society. Not only is a man no longer expected to open doors, pull out chairs and pick up checks, there is now the possibility that this is the wrong thing to do — it could even show a lack of respect.

Princeton women no longer expect the few courteous actions that one associates with a gentleman; it becomes uncertain whether she will glide through the open door, accept the chair you have presented or perceive your paying for the meal as something other than a pretentious and condescending gesture. Whereas 30 years ago, the concept of a girl paying for her share of a Princeton formal would be unheard of, today it would almost be considered rude if she didn't at least offer to pay.

With low expectations comes a greater scope for success, however, and where failure to put the woman first could once tarnish one's reputation as a gentleman, it is now the case that a single gesture of good manners can establish a Mr. Darcy. Chivalry, the principle by which men used to live and die, has been reduced to tokenism.

Alexander Wolf Galimberti '09 is a history major from Schaan, Liechtenstein. He can be reached at acwg@princeton.edu.