We have to take it into consideration that both proposals are in perspective of Elizabeth, we do not get both sides of the story. This affects our views of both Mr Collins and Darcy. Soon after the proposal of Darcy, we change our opinion of him. This is because we realise that Wickham lied to Elizabeth, so we then start to pity Darcy. The fact that we see through Elizabeth’s prejudice eyes shows us the perspective of the novel.
Mr Collins states why he proposes to Elizabeth and I believe this to be true. He is aware that he is not of great wealth and knows that by marrying one of the Bennet daughters, he will inherit their money and property after the death of Mr Bennet. This is something that he mentions in his proposal, mentioning the death of Elizabeth’s parents which is not something you should say in (what is meant to be) a proposal of love. Mr Collins was initially going to ask Jane, but was informed of Mr Bingly. This shows the reader that although at the end of his proposal he claims to love Elizabeth, it is clear he does not. Mr Collins presumes that Elizabeth will accept his offer, with the help of Mrs Bennet. Before his visit he writes Mr Bennet a letter, proposing to come and stay. He hints in this that he is coming for a certain purpose (to marry). He says
‘ I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure your of my readiness to make them every possible amends, -but of this hereafter.’
This tells us that this was always his intention, but he was not too fussed about which daughter he married. I think this also adds to why he presumes Elizabeth will accept because the Bennet’s have accepted his letter and invited him into their home, Mrs Bennet knowing his intentions. I think that Mr Collins also assumes she will accept because she will think that she might not get another offer from anyone else.
Elizabeth should not marry Mr Collins because it would go against her morals, of marrying for love. She is not even slightly attracted to him, which is clear in the book, because he is described as not very attractive. The main reason Elizabeth chooses not to accept is because she has already been aquainted with Mr Wickham, who she is attracted to.
The proposal of Mr Collins is absurd and Jane Austin portrays it in a comic way. The reader gets the impression that Mr Collins is a stupid man, and has no idea how to treat a lady with respect. He comes across as selfish because he talks of no feelings of love for her. While asking Elizabeth for her hand in marriage, he also insults her (as does Mr Darcy). Mr Collins proposal is orderly and planned and is more like an act rather than spontaneous. This is told to us by Jane Austin; ‘THE next day opened a new scene at Longbourne. Mr Collins made his declaration in form.’
Another thing showing that Mr Collins assumes Elizabeth will accept his proposal is that he says ‘ 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 sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discourages by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long.’ This is a very ironic statement because this is exactly what happens with Elizabeth and Darcy.
Mr Darcy’s proposal is in some ways similar to Mr Collins, but also very different. Mr Collins leaves telling Elizabeth of his ‘love’ for her until the end of the proposal, whereas Darcy opens with it. Although we cannot hear the tone of Darcy’s voice, I assume that it is quite bland, with little expression, which will give Elizabeth the wrong impression, her coming to the conclusion that his feelings are not sincere. The timing is very ironic, because during the same day, Colonel Fitzwilliam told her that Darcy was the reason for Bingly changing his mind about Jane. This affects Elizabeth’s decision greatly, as she states in her rejection. Darcy tells Elizabeth that he tried not to love her, but couldn’t help it. He insults her in a different way to Mr Collins (she takes it as an insult), but not to the same extent as Mr Collins. Darcy tells Elizabeth that his love for her has overcome reason, by telling her he tried not to love her but could not help it. Pride and Prejudice are both perceptible in Darcy’s proposal, more in Elizabeth than Darcy. Elizabeth is prejudice to Darcy because of what she has been told by both Mr Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth thinks that Darcy is a very proud character but if you read into the novel deeply you will realise it lies more in her than him. Although, Darcy is proud to assume that Elizabeth will accept. He assumes she will accept because he is a man of great wealth and knows he is handsome (another example of pride).
The reader can tell that Darcy’s proposal affects both characters more than Mr Collins does. Elizabeth bursts into tears when Darcy leaves. She gets upset after Darcy leaves because she knows that his insults about her family (‘To congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?’) are true. Also she is mortified because she insulted back, she is astonished and complimented that he wanted her hand in marriage. One of the main things that upset her is that she misjudged his views of her. Elizabeth is angry that Mr Darcy assumes she will accept his offer (‘The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgement of your regard, can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.’). Whereas after Mr Collins leaves it is pretty much forgotten because within a few days he is engaged to Charlotte Lucas. Mr Collins proposal we are sure does not affect Elizabeth in the slightest because at this point she is attracted to Wickham.
The only thing concerning Darcy’s proposal that suggests the later possibility of Elizabeth’s acceptance of Darcy is that she knows that his insults are true and that Jane Austin shows us that after his departure, she is affected by this.
Although there are many contrasting elements of the proposals there are also some similarities. The fact that they both insult Elizabeth is one, although they do it in completely different ways. In Mr Collins proposal he says ‘ My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you.’ This is another thing that shows he assumes she will accept and during the proposal of Mr Darcy his reactions are similar. ‘ This he considered sufficient, encouragement, and the avowal of all that he felt and had long felt for her, immediately followed.’
In Mr Collins proposal he is deceiving Elizabeth because he does not love her, whereas in Mr Darcy’s he is being honest.