Comparison of Mr. Collins' Proposal to Elizabeth with Mr. Darcy's

Comparison of Mr. Collins' Proposal to Elizabeth with Mr. Darcy's

Jane Austen does not use the word love very often in 'Pride and

Prejudice', marriage is mentioned frequently throughout the novel, but

love may have been considered too strong a word. During her lifetime

Jane Austen was exposed to fashionable society and she learnt to

gather inspiration, and then write it down in her witty, poignant way.

She lived in a time when reputation was everything and women wanted no

more than to settle down with a husband, whom preferably should exceed

their own income. Austen received no such husband, but did fall in

love, only to be heartbroken when he died before they were even

engaged. Though love is a theme in 'Pride and Prejudice' Austen didn't

use the word too recklessly but was sure to use it when a relationship

was worthy of such a title.

The Bennet family consists of Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five

daughters Jane, Lizzie, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Unlike most families of

the time all five of the daughters were out in society at the same

time. Mrs Bennet wanted no more than to see at least one of her

daughters married within the year and strived greatly to do so. Jane,

the eldest is admired wherever she goes so Mrs Bennet is quick to do

her best to try and marry her off to Mr Bingly, the very eligible

bachelor (whom, by the way has five thousand a year!)

Once Mrs Bennet feels that Jane would soon be engaged she is happy to

oblige Mr Collins, Mr Bennet's somewhat 'silly' cousin, in his quest

to find a wife. As most men do, Mr Collins first sets his sights on

Jane but is by no mean discouraged when he is told of her expected

engagement. Of course the next obvious choice is Lizzie, the pretty,

sensible g...

... middle of paper ...

...'s happiness is

not mentioned for who could doubt that Lizzie would be happy? Married

to a clergyman whom is associated with Lady Catherine de Bourgh? Mr

Collins couldn't imagine why she would not be happy so the subject

does not arise. The third reason (which he adds should maybe have been

mentioned to begin with), that it is 'the particular advice and

recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of

calling my patroness'. Clearly Mr Collins had listened attentively to

Lady Catherine de Bourgh for she specifically asked 'chuse a

gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own let her be an active, useful

sort of person.' Whether or not it was Lizzie whom Mr Collins was

proposing to, have it be Mary or even Kitty, they would suit this

criteria from Mr Collins' point of view, he is not a perceptive type

and sees people how he desires them to be.