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

The first 200 words of this essay...

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