Collins, only making one proposal, is very self-confident due to his job security and confidence in his faith. His quote “it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time” shows his total lack of experience in the art of love, despite his insincere, self-centered, and pompous proposal, it never occurred to Mr. Collins that he was in any danger of Elizabeth’s rejection, simply because his position in life was more secure than hers. His pride never allowed him to consider it.
Through these two proposals, Elizabeth experiences the two extremes of Austen’s society, the incredibly wealth, and the working class. While Mr Collins lacks tact, conviction, and manners; Darcy, possesses all these things, as well as a strong sense of honour and obligation. A represents the social norm at the time, believing that all women must be desperate for a husband. Mr Collins does not really care for Elizabeth at all. Mr Darcy may be rude, but he is also honest, and loves Elizabeth truly.
This becomes clear in his second proposal, which follows many gestures of true affection from Darcy, such as paying for the marriage of Wickham and Lydia. His second proposal is true and heartfelt, and shows both Elizabeth and Darcy putting the Pride and prejudice aside.
The many different parts of the society, in which Austen lived; all thought the same thing as Elizabeth’s offer-ers. Nearly every member of English society believed that security and wealth were the main attractions in marriage proposals, rather than respect, affection, or character. Through her character Elizabeth Bennett, the proposals and attitudes of the men she receives them from. Jane Austen showed that, despite social norms and pressures of society (Represented in Mrs Bennets character) that this fact was false, and true love should guide the way