Mr Collins goes on to marry Charlotte Lucas, someone with the same aims as him. She has expressed her views to Elizabeth that a good marriage is purely a “matter of chance”. Possession takes the place of affection, it is a practical arrangement, but it works for them. Charlotte achieves a “degree of content” and by the end of the novel the couple are expecting a child, fulfilling the purpose of this kind of marriage and offering the couple an established place in society. Jane Austen is not criticising Charlotte. She understands that as a lain girl with poor income, her options are limited. She is just expressing that it is not the ideal marriage.
Darcy’s first proposal takes place in Hunsford which is the home of Charlotte and Mr Collins. The proposal was completely at the wrong time. It was when Elizabeth has found out that it was because of Mr Darcy that Mr Bingley has not returned to Netherfield to see Jane therefore preventing the marriage. Elizabeth was angered and already strongly disliked at Darcy; he is unaware of this and ironically chooses this moment to propose. This proposal was a total surprise to Elizabeth unlike Mr Collin’s. It seems absurd to her because she has no knowledge that he likes her whereas the reader does. She has mistaken his long stares as him trying to find fault with her. We see his proposal as a genuine one compare to Mr Collin’s. He first tells Elizabeth, “how ardently I admire and love you”, “feelings cannot be repressed” which is quite romantic to the reader but Elizabeth does not find it romantic. Elizabeth’s reaction was one of shock, “astonishment was beyond expression”, and she cannot believe he has proposed after his interference in her sister’s future and his actions towards Wickham. He speaks of her “inferiority” and how degrading it is for him, a man of great wealth, to fall for a woman of her status. Hr is very insulting to Elizabeth like Mr Collins. Elizabeth is confused as to why Mr Darcy wants to marry her as he carries on insulting her and her family.
Mr Collins shows a sense of superiority and did not consider her feelings at all just like Mr Darcy as he proposed. Elizabeth’s reaction is very different to Mr Collins’ proposal. At first she seeds it as a compliment that she is the object of “such man’s affections” where as Mr Collins’ was an embarrassment and she felt no pride inbeing asked. Both have an arrogant expectation of Elizabeth’s acceptance. Mr Collins even listed reasons why she would be foolish to refuse but Mr Darcy accepts the refusal in a more gentleman manner; straight away he seems genuinely hurt.
Elizabeth’s dislike for Mr Darcy is prejudiced and based on other people’s accounts and views whereas her dislike for Mr Collins is a sensible and personal observation. Elizabeth is still in disbelief over Darcy’s actions towards Jane and tells Darcy she could not “accept the man who has means of ruining…the happiness of a most beloved sister”. This is an example of her showing pride. She recalls the “recital which I received many months ago from Mr Wickham”. The recitals left Elizabeth with the impression that Mr Darcy is selfish and conceited. Mr Darcy said it was her pride that has been wounded. Had he wooed and flattered her, she would have accepted. This shows that he does not know Elizabeth fully. She accuses him of not behaving in a “gentleman-like manner”. This comment really hurts and offends him, leaving him in anger; the proposal reveals Mr Darcy’s pride, class prejudice and lack of genuine love.
The proposal is turning point. Accusations that he behaved in an ungentle manly way “tortured” him as he later admits. Just like a true hero, he learns from this. He storms out ashamed but from then on tries to overcome his pride and love Elizabeth completely. Elizabeth learns that she has faults too. This is the beginning of a long process by which she learns to return the love. Mr Darcy’s infatuation is false and Elizabeth rightly rejects it. Elizabeth’s preference for romance love is equally wrong. Both are misguided in their view of the financial and social consideration of marriage, However, even when quarrelling, they communication, listen and act on what they hear. They move towards a desire for the other’s good and a growth in themselves. To achieve an ideal marriage both must learn to compromise.
Mr Darcy has managed to change her mind about him from being proud, conceited and selfish to someone whom she could love. Jane Austen presents this change through his actions, what he says and how. He has altered his behaviour and done things which Elizabeth admires. Mr Darcy wrote a letter justifying his actions towards Jane and Bingley and he brings Bingley back to Netherfield advising him to propose to Jane which he does. Elizabeth sees that Jane is the “happiest creature in the world” and realises it was due to Darcy’s actions. On her visit to Pemberly, Darcy showed his polite manner to her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Elizabeth had only seen Darcy’s manners as rude and proud and in this meeting he is kind and courteous. This is a turning point in her opinion. He also helped and got involved in the search for Lydia and paid Wickham to marry her after their elopement to prevent the family being humiliated. Elizabeth is grateful and sees him as generous and good-hearted.
The second proposal is very different to the first. He is aware of his past mistakes and accepts them with a sense of humility. He blames and punishes himself for how he has behaved, “inexpressibly painful”, “tortured” and “unpardonable”. He talked to Elizabeth as if she was inferior in the first proposal. Now he claims he is “properly humbled”, he does not mention her family and has realised she is a “woman worthy of being pleased”. This proposal is more attractive, he is portrayed as more sensitive which appeals to Elizabeth and the reader. He has made great effort to prove that Elizabeth had judges him wrongly and his reward is her “acceptance”. The story mainly was told from Elizabeth’s point of view therefore we know her thought. However, he is overjoyed and an “expression of heart-felt delight” came onto his face. Elizabeth talks to her father and we know all her “former prejudices have been removed”. She truly believes they will be the “happiest couple in the world”. We see the reaction of the other characters. Her father sees that Darcy has changes and makes Elizabeth happy; he claims he “could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy”. He is astonished by his kindness to the family and very grateful as he has saves him “a world of trouble and economy”.
Jane Austen uses contrast between Darcy’s characters before and after the first proposal, Darcy’s two proposals, Mr Collins and Mr Darcy and Elizabeth’s attitude through the novel. Neither of Darcy’s proposals are humorous. Jane Austen wants the reader to take them seriously as they are genuine.
