Pride and Prejudice

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Kathleen Gray

Jane Austen's minor characters add a great deal of interest to the novel. Examine the significance and presentation of three of the minor characters in the novel.

In the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen there are several important minor characters who create sub plots and add importance to the novel. The author uses quirky personalities and exciting scenes to add interest and humour. She also uses humour to intensify the atmosphere in certain scenes throughout the novel. For example when Mr Collins makes another of his long winded speeches at the Netherfield Ball he makes jokes and pointless remarks which creates an embarrassed atmosphere. The three minor characters that I have chosen to write about are Mr. Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mr. Bingley. I have chosen these characters because they are the most significant in the novel and where a large factor to an important area of the plot. For instance when Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s interference in Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship, led to them getting married.

Mr. Collins is the 25-year-old cousin of Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins, a clergyman (though possess no sign of religious beliefs through out the novel), is the closest male relation to the Bennet family and as such stands to inherit Longbourn on Mr. Bennet's death. This means that Mrs. Bennet and her daughters would be left with nothing, which is one of the reasons why Mrs. Bennet wanted Elizabeth to accept Mr. Collin’s offer of marriage because that would at least assure that the family would have a roof over their heads and some money.

Mr Collins is a “conceited, pompous, narrow minded, silly man” describes Elizabeth Bennet (Ch 24 p.133). This is a perfect description of Mr Collins through the eyes of one of the main characters in the novel. Elizabeth thinks that Mr Collins is too smug and self obsessed. He is arrogant and selfish always speaking his mind and not worrying about the consequences. Mr. Collins thinks he can do everything perfectly and is all everyone would ever want. He shows this in this passage “Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn, apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong with out being aware of it,” (Ch.18 P.89) when he attempts to dance with Elizabeth at the ball but just embarrasses himself and Elizabeth in doing so. Mr. Collins during his proposal says “My reasons for marrying are…” (Ch.19 P.103) this shows Mr Collins’ insecurity with having to justify himself to Elizabeth. This demonstrates to the reader that Mr. Collins feels all of these justifications would mean that Elizabeth couldn’t say no. Mr Collins illustrates his tactlessness as he expects her to accept his proposal and is already arranging the wedding; talking openly to the Bennet family about it without an answer, he is seen to be unaware of either Elizabeth’s or Charlotte’s feelings by being able to propose to both of them in the space of less than a week. He undermines Elizabeth’s feelings and over compliments himself in doing so. Mr Collins is entirely predictable, everything he says or does, down to the last detail, reinforces the picture of a smug, pompous man with a streak of wickedness hidden inside him. The way he speaks is indistinguishable from the way he writes in its awkward expression and its utter insensitivity. You can see an example of this when Mr. and Mrs. Bennet receive a letter from Mr. Collins but within the first few minutes of reading the letter you hear “He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man,” and “there is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter,” (Ch13 P.62). Mr Collins’ judgement of character is extraordinary; he judges characters in regard to himself, whether they are better or worse than him for example he constantly praises Lady Catherine de Bourgh because he sees her as in a higher class than himself, but what he doesn’t realise is that the way you act around people in two different classes is totally different, he therefore ashamed himself in her presence. He constantly praises Lady Catherine which doesn’t help her, she thinks she is amazing and powerful and can therefore order people around that she looks down on you can see an example of this in Ch. 29 P.163 “Mr. Collins was employed in agreeing to everything her Ladyship said.”

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Mr Collins along with Mrs Bennet are the two comic characters in the novel. His long winded speeches and pointless remarks add comedy and interest to perhaps dull parts in the novel. In most of the novel Mr Collins is seen as an innocent self-obsessed man but he is however, a rather nasty character. He shows this when he offers the advice that the Bennet family should disown Lydia to save the family reputation.

Mr Collins is important in the novel because of his affect on Elizabeth. He undermines her feelings and therefore makes her more wary of herself. She ...

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