Commentary on "Mr, Collins's proposal" from Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin

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  Commentary on “Mr, Collins’s proposal” from Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin

By Sylvia Palmai

This passage from Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice” significantly depicts the conventional way men perceived women’s role in their lives during the 18th century. Love as such didn’t exist, but the emphasis was placed on finding the convenient partnership between sons and daughters of families, who have great social status and prosperous backgrounds.

This can be immediately perceived from Mr. Collins’s introduction to Elizabeth Bennett, to whom he is about to propose. He explains that as a successful and wealthy clergyman, he must have a wife by his side. The way in which he talks about women and marriage itself, gives an impression that he would see Elizabeth as a possession he could add to his long chain of conquests. Marriage seems to be a method of fulfilment to him, to complete his live. This can be observed by Mr. Collins’s following quote:

My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it is a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish”.

 

He continues to explain how his possible marriage to Elizabeth would bring him happiness. This adds to the humour of the passage, since Mr. Collins seems to be unconscious of his evident selfishness. He can’t understand how any woman would reject him in general, as he assumes they would all be pleased with a husband of his circumstances. That is why he is revealing his reasons for marriage in such an untactful manner. It also isn’t a coincidence that he superficially chose the prettiest and youngest of the Bennett daughters. This shows his priority in life, to achieve the best, and make himself as happy as possible. His arrogance reveals a prosperous past childhood, that is influencing his ruthless pursuit of Elizabeth. This can be sensed from his second reason for marrying:

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I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness”.

Mr. Collins explains that Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the owner of the church at which he is a vicar, has given him advice on what kind of a woman he should marry. It is interesting to note that he is admitting that his choice is influenced by others advice as opposed to following his own ideas. Also, it must be asked, why would Lady Catherine involve herself in Mr. Collins’s personal life if it is clearly his own business? This gives an insight to the arrogance of those ...

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