“Dear sir, the disagreement between you and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach.”
In these lines his good intentions are missed because he only sees his own side (self-centered) and doesn’t realise how selfish his words sound. We also see that Collins doesn’t think his words through clearly but thrusts ahead thinking he’s humble and deferential, which reveals his weakness for many syllabled words and detours of phrasing. The letter also shows a lack of self respect, when he says he frequently wished to heal the breach perhaps his farther was a authoritarian who made Collins have such a obsequious manner and lack of sympathy towards people. Unfortunately, “heal the breach” did not end the letter Collins doesn’t know how to be plain or brief, the more he exposes about the past the less chance of a peaceful future. This whole first sentence prepares us for a pompous, self centered man who says the wrong thing, says it at great length and goes on saying it.
The rest of the letter reminds us that he is a parson; but perhaps could not be anything else as he carries an attitude in favour of his patron than parishioners. It shows he has no real beliefs and no sense of human spirit.
“It shall be my earnest endeavour to dean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rite and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.”
The Bennet family enjoy his letter; they draw our attention to his character: a mixture of self-importance, pragmaticness, obsequiousness and servility. The next mention of Collins is by a direct authoritarian quote; this quote leaves a solid picture painted in our mind. We see more about Collins background and that his “late honoured father” was actually illiterate and a misery. Sympathy sets in for Collins rather than Darcy’s first impressions because we see more of Darcy through Elizabeth’s eyes and she is prejudice. More relevance of Darcy’s first impressions can be seen at the Netherfield ball, the impression is quite comical and shows how people can be prejudice based on social status. When people hear that Darcy is wealthy and powerful they all try to impress and compliment him, but when they see how disagreeable he is with them they turn and focus on Mr Bingley. Darcy is so rude to Elizabeth on his first meeting because he thinks he can have anyone because of social status and wealth. We see a generally shy person, as he doesn’t want to dance with anyone.
“Darcy danced only with Mrs Hurst and once Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, speaking occasionally to his own party.
But Darcy’s shyness seems to come across as him being arrogant and superior. This shows on his discussion to Bingley about Elizabeth. Certainly on first meeting he is proud and rude to her, this first impression effects his proposal and starts the pride and prejudice they feel towards each other.
I would also like to consider how their social backgrounds and status in society effect their proposals. This point is important because it shows Jane Austin’s point that marriage will not work until you overcome societies boundaries. I would like to start with Darcy’s background; Darcy was brought up from a wealthy heritage, and a well-established family, he also owns the great estate of Pemberly. Darcy is immensely wealthy with land, homes, privately educated all these factors boost his social status. To put it simpler Darcy is at the very top of society. Although he’s wealthy his servants respect him.
‘He is the best landlord, and the best master that ever lived. There is not one of his tenants or servants but what will give him a good name.’
More relievevence can be seen when young girls are always chasing Darcy which is one of the reasons he is attracted to Elizabeth because she doesn’t chase him and also why he thinks Elizabeth will want him; he is very popular. The fact that he is from a high society effects his proposal because if he didn’t have such snobs surrounding him he wouldn’t feel guilty for becoming infatuated with a middle class lady, also his aunt Lady Catherine effects him; he feels pride towards Elizabeth’s family when his are just as bad if not worse. More evidence shows social society to effects his proposal:
“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed.”
He cannot overcome his pride and prejudice towards Elizabeth and her family. The line of classes: upper and middle may socialise but the Bennetts are clearly treated as inferiors through the likes of Darcy and Catherine de Borough. The quote also shows a reluctance and sense of degradation. We also see Mr Collins become effected by society and social background when he comes to propose.
“My reasons for marrying are first that I think it right of every clergy man in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish.”
Mr Collins thinks he is high in society, above Elizabeth which is why he presumes she will marry him; but the reader can see he is the worst combination of arrogance and obsequiousness. The fact he proposes to Elizabeth when he thinks her such a inadequate being to Lady Catherine and himself only shows the fact he isn’t particularly wealthy so wants someone from a background below him to feel a sense of power over them. He sees little in his life apart from Rosings. He is a parson but perhaps he couldn’t be anything else, as he doesn’t tend to take his duties seriously but rather the duties for Lady Catherine seriously.
“It shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.”
I also want to discuss the proposals performed by each man and analyse their proposals. I will first examine Collins proposal; there is slight irony his proposal; the man who is so ignorant about life has to face a woman in a proposal. The first words tell us his only motive for marriage and information about his character.
‘My reasons for marrying are, first that I think it is right for every clergyman to set an example of matrimony… secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness.’
By starting his proposal like so makes Elizabeth uncomfortable and alienated. His opinions are stated with a typical lack of tact he trys to sell himself to Elizabeth but shows himself to be a self-centered and selfish person. He’s overconfident that she’ll accept because: she can’t afford to turn him down and unless Elizabeth married it would be hard to find means of support. Collins bigheaded speech encourages him to believe she’ll find his list of reasons more important than love or devotion for her. We see the way women were perceived as most women just wanted a ticket away from becoming a spinster with no social connections. More evidence about Collins character can be seen when:
‘This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem.’
Collins still hasn’t mentioned love because he is so presumptuous that Elizabeth will want him for connections and financial dependence. Further analysis is seen when Collins says:
‘No ungenerous reproach will never pass my lips when we are married.’
Elizabeth hasn’t even agreed to his marriage but Collins is so vein and stuffed with arrogance that he believes she’ll accept. We only see a mention of liking Elizabeth three quarters of the way through the proposal.
‘And know nothing remains for me but to assure you I the most animated language of the violence of my affection.’
We know Elizabeth will not accept him because she is strongly opinionated that marriage should be caused by love not social status or financial gain. I think this quote show just how crass and unctunious Mr Collins is, he has just met Elizabeth and yet wants to marry her, after stating he is only to marry because Lady Catherine told him too. Which just makes him an insecure, presumptuous lapdog. Another quote that’s suitable is:
‘’I ought to have mentioned earlier that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling my patroness…. Mr Collins you must marry. Chose properly a gentle women for my sake and your own.’
Lady Catherine patronises Mr Collins but he is too thick skulled to realise. We see that Collins views are of the most extreme and obvious he is so boastful of his life with Lady Catherine but all this does to Elizabeth is make her want to meet lady Catherine less. Mr Collins being so presumptuous makes Elizabeth have to interrupt, the proposal is refused because she is acting on her instincts. She knows she is doing right by refusing because she knows if she accepts their relationship will become a rerun of the Bennett’s. But Elizabeth is acting on her heart and knows she will take a big risk by refusing his offer. Strong evidence shows Mr Collins is completely blinded by vanity and insensitiveness to realise that Elizabeth doesn’t want to marry. The more Mr Collins presumes the more Elizabeth knew it was right to reject his proposal. More relevance of Mr Collins presumptuousness can be seen;
‘When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the subject, I shall hope to receive a more favourable answer.’
By saying ‘myself,’ shows how inferior he treats Elizabeth. Jane Austin shows how Collins lack of self-knowledge and his critical mind means that he doesn’t understand why Elizabeth rejects him. We also see more of Collins views on marriage as he licks his wound by proposing to Charlotte. We see his views on marriage are not his own (no independents thoughts). Having such shallowness of emotions and expectations makes the realisation that she refused turn him two-faced and insensitive saying no one will ever propose to her because she is so poor; this is crudely insensitive and patronising. Although his pride is hurt by rejection he soon rebuilds it by proposing to Charlotte.
Collins proposal is lacking in true affection, whereas Darcy’s affection is the positive part of his proposal but he dwells on by the fact that she is more an unsuitable match than she is a charming woman or anything complimentary. The proposal is slightly more romantic. His and Elizabeth’s pride and prejudice towards each other takes up most of the proposal. At the very beginning he states the fact she is so unsuitable for him and how he much wants not to like her because of his prejudice towards her family and pride of his social status.
“ In vain I have struggled. It will not do.”
As most women would feel, Elizabeth is completely shocked by such a snobbish comment and for the rest of the proposal feels alienated and inferior but she also feels shocked that such a man would ruin her sisters opportunity for marriage then propose to her, it shows him to be insincere. We can also say this comment makes him presumcious she will marry even if she is inferior because a woman in those times would, but Elizabeth had different views to marriage than a business deal.
“He spoke well but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed.”
Elizabeth can see his true passion towards her but knows that her is prejudice towards her yet the irony is she is prejudice towards him. Darcy is ashamed and embarrassed of his love towards her that is to do with his social connections. Neither has overcome each others social boundaries so they are not yet a good example of relationships again Jane is showing her views on marriage.
“Till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion in anger.”
She is angry to be treated so inferior to him when he has acted in such a snobbish and boastful manner. When she tells him he hasn’t acted Gentle men like his pride swells; we see he is shocked by such a comment because he thought he was doing Elizabeth a favour by taking her out of a middle class and throwing her into higher societies- most women would kill for that opportunity.
“Seemed to catch his words with no resentment than surprise..Again his astonishment was obvious.”
He is also very presumptuous that Elizabeth will accept: because of all the women chasing him, the fact he chose her when he could have Miss Bingley of Miss De Borough but it also shows his true love for her, his independence and sincerity to go against Lady Catherine’s advice. We also see that her rejection of him builds up a kind of humidity in him. Therefore his pride, prejudice and anger take over as he makes snobbish and obsequious comments:
“Inferiority of your connections-to congratulate myself on the hope of relations whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?”
Although Elizabeth is hurt by his comments she argues back and Darcy discovers that she knows about him stopping Bingley proposing. But he is quite selfish and self-centered, as he shows no sense of remorse or anything of an apologetic nature. But he is honest when confronted. It also shows more prejudice towards Elizabeth’s family.
“I have no wish of denying that I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, or that I rejoice in my success.”
We begin to see that when each shows signs of prejudice it has been influenced by their social status. Darcy’s’ pride has been hurt enough and he will not listen to anymore prejudice remarks but also so his anger doesn’t say anything that will destroy their relationship more.
“You have said quite enough, madam.”
More relevance of the similarities and differences between the two suitors are seen through the proposals. They are similar by both presuming she will accept because they are both of social hierarchy and think she has the same views of marriage as most women. Both feel they are doing her a favour by proposing. There are also many differences, Collins just proposes to Elizabeth to please Catherine whereas Darcy is going against his family by proposing. Darcy’s proposal also shows a true love for Elizabeth while we see Wickham is just wants a housewife.
After the proposals the suitors’ reactions show a strong measure of the two men; Collins shows complete shallowness and emptiness by running to marry Charlotte, we know their married life isn’t successful because of social boundaries. When Elizabeth visits them Collins is gloating but doesn’t know that his wife gave him the big room so as to never see him without reason. After Lydia elopes he sends a very cruel letter showing a lack of Christian emotion and a sense of obsequious gloating. Though Collins acts badly in this event we see Darcy rushes to London showing his continued devotion for Elizabeth, in spite of his hate for her low connections, rescues the entire Bennett family from disgrace but also going against the wishes of Lady Catherine proves him to be worthy of Elizabeth. Darcy also overcomes his prejudice towards Elizabeth’s family realising that Lady Catherine is even worse than Mrs Bennett, now both have overcome pride they have the chance to be a successful couple.
To conclude, after writing this essay it has become clear how strongly Jane Austin is pointing out the examples of good and bad marriages, and how to avoid them. If we want a successful marriage we would look to Jane and Mr Bingley or Elizabeth and Darcy; only after overcoming their barriers can they begin a healthy relationship. But we also see characters like Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins or the Bennetts and Wickham and Lydia who rush into marriage but end up living loveless self-centred lives. Through the essay we also learned how pride and prejudice can interfere with love and the only couples who overcame them ended with a love filled relationship (Darcy and Elizabeth also Jane and Mr Bingley.
