“The situation of your mother’s family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three young sisters, and occasionally even your father.”
Even though it is evident that he admires Elizabeth, he is not capable of discounting the contempt he feels towards her relations. He is attentive to the fact that it will wound Elizabeth’s pride, but he cannot pretend that he is ignorant of their situation, or that he admires it in any way. However his incapability to retain his emotions, even if they are honest and honourable, is a downfall in his character, as it deters Elizabeth from him. In saying this his honest thoughts criticise virtually everyone that Elizabeth cares for, even though she has previously admitted herself that, in this respect, he is truthful and she agrees that her family are demeaning for her, but it is inevitable that this will infuriate her. It also shows the turmoil of his feelings. He recognises the inferiority of the Bennet family in comparison to his own, but cannot help his feelings of veneration and ardour towards Elizabeth.
Another example of this sincerity of his actions is concerning the separation of Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. He openly admits that he was partially responsible for this, and even admits that it was partly due to the inadequacy of her family that he did such a thing, however his intentions were good at heart. The chief reason that Darcy participated in this cruel partition was because he believed that Jane did not return Bingley’s feelings of affection and he was trying to save his friend from the pain of unrequited love. Elizabeth also agrees with Darcy on this point that Jane did not wear her heart on her sleeve and whilst seeming as kind and honourable as ever, she showed no public displays of affection.
“If I have wounded your sister’s feelings, it was unknowingly done, and though the motives which governed me may to you very naturally appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn them”
The language he uses is precise and pertinent, he does not prattle like Mr. Collins would do in such circumstances, and his master of language is great. This is appropriately used by Jane Austen to reflect his superior education and the society with which he associates. This quote also shows a growth within his character; he acknowledges that his demeanour was inappropriate, and admits a defect of his own personality, proving that he is not wholly devoid of remorse.
Darcy also shows that he has no infamy of his actions.
“I cannot blame myself for having done as much”
He believes that he was justified in the separation of Mr. Bingley and Jane, and that even now he knows that Jane feels as intensely for Bingley in return, Darcy still refuses to believe that he acted immorally at the time with the knowledge he had of Jane. This shows us that whilst his character has grown in some ways, there are still many points which Elizabeth would consider to be deplorable.
His tone is mature and intellectual, he uses an extensive range of vocabulary to emphasise his meanings. The sentence structures are complex, often long with up to sixty-eight words, but commas break them up at regular intervals so that it is effortless to read.
“But I shall not scruple to assert, that the serenity of your sister’s countenance and air was such, as might have given the most acute observer, a conviction that, however amiable her temper, her heart was not likely to be easily touched.”
Regardless of the length of the sentences, the content never strays off the point he is discussing, it remains factual but not brusque; unlike the drawn out, blether of Mr. Collins. Jane Austen uses these stylistic features to reflect Darcy’s intellectual character and to demonstrate his aristocratic upbringing.
This letter not only shows a change in Darcy’s character but it causes a change in Elizabeth. Her immediate reactions were that of denial and disgust. Disgust towards Darcy and his capability of creating such a calamitous tale of Mr. Wickham, and his open self pride in the separation of Jane and Mr. Bingley. She initially refuses to absorb the content of the letter as the truth, she folds it up and puts it away in refutation of the content, unable to believe Darcy’s ignorance of Jane’s feelings. Her deep prejudices against Darcy prevent her from seeing what he has written as the truth, she expects nothing but lies and excuses, and believes him incapable of anything but.
“With a strong prejudice of everything he might say, she began his account of what had happened at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth expects him to be arrogant and unrelenting almost to the point that she would have been disappointed to discover sincere apologies, she is so suspecting of his character that if this was what she had received she would have rather believed them to be false than to admit that he was genuinely sorry.
The letter induces a chaos of emotions for her. She is reluctant to believe any of the content, yet she finds it impossible to ignore his details and facts, which clearly proclaim that it is the truth.
“Her feelings were yet more acutely painful and more difficult of definition. Astonishment, apprehension, and even horror, oppressed her. She wished to discredit it entirely repeatedly exclaiming, “This must be false! This cannot be! This must be the grossest falsehood!””
She finds Darcy’s account of Mr. Wickham scandalous. The detail of the situations, Wickham’s dealings with Georgiana Darcy, gives the account credibility, for no brother so dearly devoted would wish to shame and ridicule his sister without due cause. Elizabeth cannot challenge the truth of the report, and is left to deal with her own bewildered judgments.
“She could bring no proof of its injustice”
Despite her initial intense dislike for Darcy, and her previous feelings of adoration for Wickham, she cannot fault such an accurate, ingenuous description. Darcy’s account is perceptibly clearer and contains meticulous evidence to credit it, as Elizabeth tries to recall Mr. Wickham’s account “ She could remember no more substantial good than the general approbation of the neighbourhood”. Elizabeth’s next feelings were of self-disgust, she had been prejudiced, blind and partial to the truth. Even more mortifying was the fact that she has previously prided herself on her ability to judge characters well, without being blinded by chauvinism.
“I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment, I never knew myself.”
This letter is a revelation for Elizabeth, of her own character. It causes her to reconsider her assets for what they really are. She realises that she has acted blindly and that she has let bias overwhelm her, to the point that the truth seems vulgar.
This letter is the pivotal point in Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. Where as the affection had previously been one sided, Elizabeth is now forced to realise that Darcy is not guilty of the charges that she had faced him with, and that his integrity and etiquette was impeccable. All these points she admires in a man, and thus her feelings towards Darcy undoubtedly change for the better. Therefore when they next meet at Pemberly, whilst Elizabeth is embarrassed about her previous words of contempt, they converse and she discovers it is “gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of her”, making it evident that she now cares for his high opinion.
I am now going to write about the letters from Mr. Collins to the Bennet family, starting with the first. Mr. Collins wrote this letter to Mr. Bennet informing him of his impending stay at Longbourn. This letter, although not as significant in the movement of the plot as Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth, is an initial true portrayal of Mr. Collins character. Previously the Bennets have heard very little from him due to a breach in the family relationship, however Mr. Collins motives for his visit is to heal this breach.
The content of the letter is a veritable depiction of Mr. Collins personality. The sentences are sustained and the content is circuitous and drawn out. When Mr. Collins arrives at Longbourn it becomes apparent that his personality has these characteristics as well. Whilst with his best intentions at heart Mr. Collins’ absurd personality provides humour in the text and his use of language makes it evident to the reader that his social standing and intelligence is far inferior to that of Mr. Darcy. Where Darcy would use specific, applicable language, Mr. Collins’ is lacking in the aptitude to do so, and instead uses habitual expressions. For example:
“The disagreement subsisting between yourself 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 but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone, with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.”
This is the initial sentence in his letter, rather than being factual and straight to the point as Darcy’s was, it is long-winded and dull. He takes a considerable amount of time just to mention one small detail. It unmistakably proves to the reader that he is not a sensible man and that he lacks the fine education of the upper class. His terminology aligns him with advocates of a middle class ideal of submissive, domestic womanhood.
This letter also makes it abundantly clear to the reader the extent of Mr. Collins’ absurd conceit. Throughout the length of the letter he talks of nothing but himself, and he praises himself liberally.
“I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable”
It is evident that he thinks very highly of himself and his situation in life, and he seems ignorant of his greatly inferior social standing than that of the wholly admired Lady Catherine De Bourgh.
Mr. Collins’ attitude is obsequious and sycophantic. At every opportunity he wishes to please those whom with which he is acquainted and he feels the best way to do this is to prove his high morals and associates. His constant reference and blind adoration towards the dictatorial Lady Catherine in his letters and speech is a reflection of his own self-admiration of his associates.
“As Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday”
It is evident that he wishes the Bennets to realise immediately his high social standing, although it is evident through Mr. Bennet’s mocking tone that the expected reaction was not received.
“ “He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my word; and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so indulgent as to let him come to us again.” ”
Mr Bennet is clearly amused by Mr. Collins’ attitude, his quick wits let him see immediately through his sycophantic image that he wishes to present.
Although Mr. Collins is proved to be foolish and absurd there is no indication of his potential for evil that is shown in his second letter. It is written concerning Lydia’s elopement with Mr. Wickham and Mr. Collins’ attitude whilst still full of vanity is now shown also to be immoral. It now becomes evident to the reader that Mr. Collins thinks of himself so highly that he would immediately disassociate himself with Lydia had she of been one of his daughters. He is so confident of his own superior intelligence and knowledge that he also advises Mr. Bennet to do so.
“Let me advise you then, my dear Sir, to console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence.”
It is blatantly obvious that Mr. Collins is so concerned about is prestigious image that he would not wish to associate with Lydia, despite the fact that she is family. He is callous and harsh in his attitude towards her, this is an example of Jane Austen’s use of irony in her novel “Pride and Prejudice”. She presents Mr. Collins a Christian clergyman yet without the Christian sentiments. Another example of this is
“The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this.”
Clearly a true Christian clergyman would wish to support the family in every way possible, and try to give them condolences in their dire situation. Yet Mr. Collins is shown here to lack the Christian morals, or indeed those of many forgiving human beings.
This letter causes a change in Elizabeth’s attitude towards Mr. Collins. Where as previously she has seen him as the superficial parasite he presents himself as, she had no reason to despise him. This letter gives her ammunition yet her maturity prevents her from any such retaliation. Subsequent to this final letter Mr. Collins’ role in the novel is small, though not a large character throughout the novel he provides humour through his absurdities, and he is as much presented in his letters as in person.
In conclusion Jane Austen interlaces letters into the natural narrative of the plot to effectively push it forward or to give a clearer character definition for the reader. Whilst the two letters I have discussed have mainly been showing a change in character trait, an example of letters that directly move forward the plot would be Jane’s letters to Elizabeth during her stay in Lambton.
Elizabeth and Darcy are just becoming better acquainted when Elizabeth receives news from Jane concerning Lydia’s elopement with Wickham. Whilst these letters do not make Jane’s character more palpable, they do cause Elizabeth to take immediate action. Mr. Darcy encounters Elizabeth directly after she reads the letters, and discovers her to have a “pale face and impetuous manner”. He then takes control of the situation, and cares for Elizabeth, making it evident to the reader how their relationship has developed. This letter causes Darcy to be ashamed of his concealing Mr. Wickham’s actions, as if he had made them public knowledge he could have prevented the situation. It also causes Elizabeth’s hopes of a relationship with Darcy to be dashed as she is convinced that Mr. Darcy would no longer associate with such a disgraceful family. However overall the incident brings Darcy and Elizabeth closer together, because it proves to them both how much they care for one another.
Despite the fact that letters had to be used in Jane Austen’s times as a form of communication, She manages to manipulate them to an almost magical effect, each one is carefully placed and the effect on the reader measured to ensure that the desired response will be received. They add another dimension to her novel, as her epistolary mode of writing helps the reader to feel actively involved in the characters lives.
