Pride and Prejudice - review

Pride and Prejudice

In the eighteenth century genteel woman were based around he home life. In this era women were not independent and had no right over the property that the family may own. The times were very patriarchal, males were much more dominant and inherited the property from their families, thus giving them wealth. Women had to find wealth in an alternative way, this being marriage. Marriage was seen as the only way for women to move on from their families. If women were not married they would stay with their families until they got married or remain spinsters and perceived as burdens on their families.

Many marriages at this time were arranged. An arranged marriage looked at the persons family and connections as well as status and the individuals personal attributes, such as looks, personality and interests. The status and hierarchy system was in use at this time, this means that women rarely able to marry higher than the social status they were born into; and so a genteel woman would resolve to marry a gentle man, if they were lucky. For in the Bennet’s case, the daughters were not promised much at the event of their fathers death and so had little wealth of their own which could tempt a suitable gentleman, even if they are of the same social status as the man.

Many people of this time did not believe that one must love to marry. In Jane Austen’s novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’, such characters are portrayed by Mrs Bennet and Charlotte Lucas. Women would want to marry for financial stability, Charlotte Lucas shows her point of view on page 101 where she says;

‘I am not a romantic you know, I only ask a comfortable home…’

pages 100-101

Mrs Bennet however is much more interested in the persons social

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status and wealth rather than anything else.

In ‘Pride And Prejudice’ Jane Austen uses the character Elizabeth to portray her own perspective on marriage and society. Elizabeth believes that love is an important aspect in marriage and could not marry someone without loving and respecting the person.

There are three marriage proposals made to Elizabeth Bennet. The first being by Mr Collins. Mr Collins will inherit the Bennet estate at the event of Mr Bennet’s death. This is because Mr Collins is the next male in the family and so the estate will be entailed to him. The estates are not entailed to the females in the family, because of this they are left with little or nothing. Mr Collins first comes to Loungbourne after reconciling differences between Mr Bennet and the late Mr Collins. Mr Collins pays a visit to the Bennet family with a proposal in mind. This is however only to please Lady Catherine De Bourgh, whom instructs him to find a suitable wife for his position. He first sets his eyes on Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister, but is soon told by Mrs Bennet that Jane is taken. Mr Collins then sets his sights on Elizabeth. This shows how easily his affections are transferred from one person to another.

When Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth he expects Elizabeth to accept. However this is not the case as the girls all see Mr Collins as a joke. This is because Jane Austen uses him as a comical figure in the story. Mr Collins refers to Lady Catherine many times in his proposal,

‘it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness’ Page 85

This makes Elizabeth feel as though Mr Collins only wants to marry her to make Lady Catherine happy. Mr Collins seems to be trying to be loving but does not seem so. The way he is talking makes him seem humorous to Elizabeth.

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‘she was so near to laughing’ page 85

Elizabeth knew that Mr Collins would be proposing to Jane if Mrs Bennet had not intervened. This makes Elizabeth feel uncomfortable as Mr Collins goes on because she knows that he would be making his promises to Jane. Mr Bennet goes on with his speech and carries on in making himself look idiotic, though he is trying to make himself look good, he is seen as a joke in Elizabeth’s eyes, especially as he presumes Elizabeth has accepted though she has made no reply. He ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

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‘she was so near to laughing’ page 85

‘when we are married’ page 86

with which Elizabeth replies;

‘you are too hasty sir.. you forget that I have made no answer’

page 86

Elizabeth also feels sorry for Mr Collins, this is because Elizabeth is amused at the prospect of marrying Mr Collins and the speech which he is making. Elizabeth soon becomes impatient with Mr Collins as he continues to assume Elizabeth has accepted his proposal when she has done no such thing. What further infuriates Elizabeth is that Mr Collins feels that he is doing her a favour by asking her to marry him, he shows this by saying;

‘I could not satisfy myself without resolving to chuse a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible…’

page 86

Mr Collins does not know Elizabeth’s character well enough for

him to want to marry him, this is shown by the way Mr Collins

barely mentions happiness and love in the proposal. If Mr Collin’s

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knew Elizabeth he would know that position in the society would not tempt her to marry him as she has no concern for it or what lady Catherine desires, this is incredibly repellent to Elizabeth. Mr Collins is unable to take a blatant hint from Elizabeth when she denies him, he goes on to say;

‘it is usual for young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept’ page 86

He thinks that Elizabeth is playing hard to get when she is obviously not interested, it soon gets to a point where Elizabeth can take no more of Mr Collins humiliating himself that she walks out, but not before Mr Collins again tries to change her mind one more time by mentioning Lady Catherine;

‘I cannot imagine that her ladyship would at all disapprove of you’

page 87

this however goes to no avail as Elizabeth did not care for what Lady Catherine might want. The reader can imagine Elizabeth’s irritation at Mr Collins as he does not accept her answer as she once again refuses him;

‘I am perfectly serious in my refusal’ page 87

Mr Collins once again speaks about how it is normal for women to reject men and play hard to get he becomes pushy and annoying;

‘ I know it be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application’ page 87

Mr Collins also insults Elizabeth in the process of proposing to her when he says that no other offer of marriage may be made to her;

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‘it is by no means that another offer of marriage may ever be made

to you’ page 88

the reader can feel Elizabeth’s anger in this comment as he is basically saying that there could ever be another good marriage proposal to her, or any of her sisters. After this statement by Mr Collins Elizabeth refuses once more and then leaves the room.

‘Elizabeth would make no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew’ page 88

When Mrs Bennet hears of Elizabeth’s refusal to Mr Collins, she is genuinely shocked and refuses to talk to Elizabeth. She resolves to asking Mr Bennet to talk to Elizabeth but is surprised when she sees that he is on her side, and agrees with her decision to reject Mr Collins. Though in the modern day no one would be shocked at Elizabeth’s decision, it was really outrageous for her to have denied a perfectly amiable marriage proposal, with which she would have got comfort and security. However Mr Collins does not waste any time in making his second proposal in the story, which proves that he was not seriously in love with Elizabeth as he had claimed to be.

Jane Austen probably included this proposal in the story to ad a comical effect to the story and show how adamant Elizabeth is on her believes and principles of marriage.

Mr Collins second proposal is made to Charlotte Lucas. This again shows how easily Mr Collins is able to ‘fall in love’. Charlotte first hears of Mr Collins proposal to Elizabeth when she comes over to Longbourne to visit the Bennet family. Lydia, Elizabeth’s youngest sister of 16 years, informs Charlotte who does not look shocked. However se soon sees this as a chance for herself. She volunteers to entertain Mr Collins during a dinner party at Lucas Lodge, this was seen as kind of her as no one knew of her plan

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‘Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than her Elizabeth had any conception of’ page 97

Charlottes plan had worked as the very next morning she was called upon by Mr Collins, who had snuck out of Longbourne,

without the knowledge of any of his cousins to ‘throw himself at

her feet’ page 97. Charlotte had manipulated the situation as she had met him ‘accidentally in the lane’ page 98. This shows how desperate Charlotte was to marry. Mr Collins proposal to Charlotte was a quick one, he calmly stated to her on entering the house

‘to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men’

page 98

Charlotte was not really interested in how quickly the marriage took place;

‘(Charlotte) cared not how soon the establishment were gained’ page 98

This further shows her desperation. Charlotte Lucas was desperate to get an amiable marriage opportunity as she was perceived as old to be ‘out’ and unmarried at that time as she was twenty-seven years old. After Charlottes parents gave their consent and it was soon known that the two were engaged.

The third proposal made in the story was again to Elizabeth. This time by Mr Darcy. Mr Darcy was seen as a very disagreeable, proud and conceited character when first met at the ball. Elizabeth was full of hate for him as he had slighted her at the ball;

‘she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me’ page 11

We later see Elizabeth do the same to him when they next meet

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where she denies to dance with him.

‘Indeed sir I have the least intention of dancing’ page 23

Mr Darcy times his proposal very badly as Elizabeth is at the peak of her hatred for him due to the fact that she had just found out that he had interfered with her sister Jane and her union with

Mr Bingley, who is Mr Darcy’s close friend. Elizabeth blames all of this on Mr Darcy and hates him more as the time goes by. She had also seen Mr Darcy as a very selfish character because of his dealings with Mr Wickham, who, unknown to Elizabeth who had liked him, was a persuasive person. Mr Wickham had led Elizabeth to believe that Mr Darcy was unkind, however we soon learn the reasons for Mr Darcy’s behaviour to Mr Wickham. We find out that Mr Darcy is indeed a kind and giving person, who acted out of love and care, Austen’s purposes for doing this is to show that first impressions are not always to be believed; however Elizabeth believed Mr Wickham as she already had her own feelings of hatred towards Mr Darcy and so was convinced by someone else who had the same feelings as her towards him.

Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth out of love for her, this contrasts Mr Collins as he did not propose for love, he proposed for the mere need of a wife. Mr Darcy states that he had tried to suppress his feelings for Elizabeth whish infuriates her further as she thinks that he sees himself as superior to her.

‘In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed’ page 147

This shows Elizabeth that Mr Darcy does not want to love her. Elizabeth had wanted to express her own feelings towards him at that time but hears Mr Darcy out, when he says he loves her she became quiet and surprised;

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‘Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression’ page 147

Her reaction is not a positive one; however Mr Darcy does not see this and continues to express himself;

‘this he considered sufficient encouragement’ page 147

Elizabeth tried to answer Mr Darcy calmly as she expresses some

of what she is feeling for him.

‘I have never desired your good opinion and you have certainly bestowed it unwillingly’ page 148

Elizabeth’s reply to Mr Darcy had shocked him physically, he had begun to get pale, this is because he too, like Mr Collins had thought that she would accept because of position in the society. This is also because he had no knowledge that his interference with Jane and Bingley was still fresh in Elizabeth’s mind. Elizabeth soon continues as her revulsion begin to reach the surface. She talks of what he had done to Jane. When she had finished she had asked him if he denied his actions with which he replied;

‘I have no wish of denying…’ page 149

This built Elizabeth’s hatred further and she tells him that it is because of that that her hatred is made. She also asks of his dealings with Mr Wickham, with which Mr Darcy begins to get angry. This makes the reader feel anticipation in what Mr Darcy will say. Mr Darcy continues to say that he has no regrets and how he is not happy that he had fallen in love with someone who was so ‘beneath’ himself. This angers Elizabeth and she replies;

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‘you could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it’

page 150

‘you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed to marry.’ page 151

With these words Mr Darcy, unlike Mr Collins accepts her rejection and leaves the house with apologies. Mr Darcy must hate Elizabeth at this moment as it was her who had first told him that he should open up more to people and show his feelings, and when he finally finds the courage to do so she rejects him.

Mr Darcy and Mr Collins, though very different in character have also got some similarities when it comes to the way they had proposed. They had both assumed that Elizabeth will accept before she has made a response. This is because of their position. Elizabeth, however would not have accepted either because of the manner of the proposals. Mr Collins was more interested in having a wife to present to Lady Catherine and Mr Darcy tells Elizabeth he loves her against his will. He also made that fact clear to Elizabeth, which made her feel belittled.

The fact that they both talked of status and position during their proposals, would never have convinced Elizabeth to accept. Mr Darcy got the right idea of telling her he loved her but then spoiled it by saying that he wished he never loved her as she was ‘beneath’ him. Mr Collins also tries to tempt Elizabeth by his connections, Lady Catherine De Bourgh.

There are also differences in the proposals – the reason for the proposal. Mr Collins wanted Elizabeth’s hand to please others; for example Lady Catherine and the Bennet family. He tries to persuade her by mentioning all the connections and the estate in which he lived and how close he lived to Lady Catherine. Mr Collins makes Elizabeth feel that she would never be able to

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respect Mr Collins if she does marry him and also that there would be no real love between the two of them ever. This is also the reason Mr Bennet supported Elizabeth’s decision to reject Mr Collins, as he suffers from a relationship in which there is no love or respect.

Mr Darcy told Elizabeth what she wanted to hear, and she would have accepted had she not already had her opinion of him and after she had rejected him he had brought up his position again, which made Elizabeth more adamant in her reply. He brings up the fact that she is of a lesser status than him on many occasions

in the proposal and that it would go against the wishes of many people, like Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Though both the proposals were both bad in their own ways, Mr Darcy’s one reached her in more ways than Mr Collins as she was complimented by the fact that a man like him could love her; however this was before Mr Darcy continued and told Elizabeth exactly what made her turn down Mr Collins. Though people would be reasonably shocked at Elizabeth’s rejection to Mr Collins, they would be shocked further by her refusal to Mr Darcy as he is of a much higher status than Mr Collins, this would make it seem that she had turned away two perfectly good marriage prospects. Also because she is not promised much at her fathers death she may never receive such an advantageous proposal.

Jane Austen’s views on marriage contradicted that of many people in the eighteenth century. Though the typical view of woman was to be sensible and graceful, Jane Austen created a character through which she gave her opinions. This character was Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth would have been seen as a very rude character in those times as she was not afraid to speak her mind. A character who is a direct contrast to Elizabeth is Charlotte Lucas, who fits into the stereotypical role of a woman. Elizabeth does not allow people to put her down, she speaks out against Lady Catherine when she asks about the so called engagement between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth replies;

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‘You may ask questions, which I shall not chuse to answer’

page 273

Jane Austen’s started to pave the way for the society to be more matriarchal. She believes that love is an important aspect in marriage and in Elizabeth she shows that by being determined to get what you want you will succeed. Austen was a feminist and believed that men and women were equal and the hierarchy system should not get in the way of marriage if there is love. Jane Austen shows her views when she says in the very first sentence of the novel;

‘It is universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife’ page 5

This makes the reader sense an air of sarcasm in the tone of the sentence, and so the reader can see that these are the views of the author. Jane Austen provided the people in those times with a book with a woman as the predominant character, who has her own views and opinions of the society and its expectations of women.