Getting married had also its complications, I lady had to get married quickly (by today’s standards). A woman reaching thirty would have a very minimal chance and would die a spinster, this created pressure on the women to find a right husband but quickly, but in most cases they women got married purely for the reason that it would give them a secure future. This case is evident in proposal of Charlotte Lucus as she is 28 years of age and realizes her chances of finding a loving husband are very minimal so therefore pounces on the chance of getting married to Mr Collins.
“Miss Lucus perceived him from
an upper window as he walked
towards the house, and instantly
set out to meet him accidentally in
the lane.”
Miss Lucus therefore accidentally meets up with Mr Collins so he can propose to her and she can secure her future, because a women not getting married was seen as act of disregard towards one’s duty.
Proposal one
Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth first in the novel.
When we are firstly introduced to Mr Collins we are introduced in a form of a letter. When Mr Collins arrives at Longbourn he is describes as a comical character. When we are first introduced to Mr. Collins through the letter the reader can pick up on the fact he constantly mentions Catherine Lady De Burg constantly relating with stuff he writes with her.
“I have been so fortunate
as to be distinguished by
the patronage of the right
honorable Lady Catherine
de Bourgh,”
The Mr Collins go on to write about her and praises her. Therfore this character is not be taken seriously by the readers. This build up of an insecure and hidous and rather comical character just adds to the humour and stupidity as Mr Collins propases to Elizabeth.
“His air was grave”
He is described as an uninteresting individual. From the start readers from a picture that Mr Collins Is an ill witted character and constantly flatters Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
When Mr Collins proposes to Lizzy he ask in a manner in a she is inferior to him. Jane Austen uses humour to convey Mr Collins. Collins throughout the novel continually pays homage to Catherine de Bourgh.
Mr Collins arrives at Longbourn with an intention to build bridges with the Bennet’s. In the novel because Mr Bennet has no legal inheritors as he has all daughters so therefore the estate will pass to Mr Bennet’s closest relation, which is Mr Collins. Mr Collins realizes he will inherit the estate so therefore travels to the estate to mend the bridges between him and Mr Bennet, and in order to solidify the bridges he plans to propose to Elizabeth. This proposal is very evident as Mr Collins is a stupid character, and makes it very obvious he will ask Elizabeth’s hand in marriage.
When Mr Collins come to propose to Elizabeth he does it in a manner which is not appeasing. Firstly he tries to flatter Elizabeth
“I singled you out as the,
companion of my future
life.”
But the reader knows that his flattery is to no avail as he is an unattractive figure.
Then Jane Austen writes
“The idea of Mr Collins, with all
his solemn composure, being
run away by his feelings , made
Elizabeth so near laughing.”
This is a clear indication of what the outcome of Lizzy’s answer will be. This also shows the Mr Collins is a humorous character.
Mr Collins proposal is not to be taken seriously. Jane Austen uses humour and comical effect to highlight and emphasize the ridiculousness of the proposal. Then once Elizabeth rejects the proposal Mr Collins refuses to accept her rejection, saying the Lizzy is trying to play hard to get. Once Mr Collins realizes that Elizabeth is firm in her rejection he walks out of their estate angrily and then “accidentally” meets Charlotte Lucus. Mr Collins wants to get married for the reasons the he feels sorry for Bennets, and because his patroness has instructed him to.
Proposal two
When Mr Darcy proposes to Elizabeth comes as an shock to the reader. This is for the reason that When Mr Darcy meets Elizabeth for the first time he shunts her so the reader does not be aware that Mr Darcy has feelings toward Lizzy.
Mr Darcy’s proposal could not come at a more difficult time because Elizabeth just finds out the Darcy told Bingley to refrain from seeing Lizzy’s sister Jane because the Bennet’s had no connections. So therefore Elizabeth is extreamly shocked and angry at Mr Darcy proposal. Mr Darcy also proposes in a manner like that of Mr Collins. He states that Lizzy should be grateful for his proposal as there a lower class than him.
“Could you expect me to rejoice
in the inferiority of you connections?
Mr Darcy insults Elizabeth, therefore Elizabeth feels more resentment towards him.
“I had not known you a month
before I felt that you were the
last man in the world whom
i could ever be prevailed on
to marry”
Elizabeth rejects his offer of marriage because she feels inappropriate her getting married to a man she does not love.
There are similarities between the two proposals. Both of the men (Darcy and Collins) do not love Elizabeth for who she is. Both regard her inferior to her and are sure that she will accept their proposal. Lastly both of the men are shocked to realize that Elizabeth rejects their proposals.
The Character Elizabeth is a strong, free thinking women in the novel, and does not believe in the traditional ways of doing things. She believes that a person should marry for love, which was recognized at the time at which the novel is set.
I think the Jane Austen’s opinions are portrayed in her characters as a means of displaying that traditions some times are wrong. Elizabeth has characteristics of feminism. This shows that Jane Austen was ahead of her time, because she believed that women could be free thinking and independent and still live a good life. This is portrayed in her characters as Elizabeth eventually is loved by Darcy for who she is even though Darcy recognizes the fact that Lady Catherine De Bourgh will take it upon insult him Marrying her.
