Preview

Mr. Collins Idiocy in Pride and Prejudice

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
315 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Mr. Collins Idiocy in Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice reflect the strictly regimented nature of life for the middle and upper classes in Regency England. Jane Austen satirizes this kind of class-consciousness, particularly in the character of Mr. Collins, who though Mr. Collins offers an extreme example, he is not the one to hold such view. His conception of the importance class is shared, among other by Mr. Darcy who believes in the dignity of his lineage. The social interactions at the ball provide the reader with a picture of the formalities of early 19th century English society and the extreme importance which rank and wealth played in social relations.
Mr. Collins wants to introduce himself to Mr. Darcy because he is Lady Catherine's nephew, his duty and he had to follow the order of his conscience. Elizabeth doesn't want Collins introduce himself to Darcy because she thought that it must belong to Mr. Darcy to begin the acquaintance. She tried hard to prevent him assuring him that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt; that it was not in the least necessary there should be notice on either side. After all of her warns to him, he insists on does it. He introduce himself rudely and Mr. Darcy was eyeing was unrestrained wonder and his contempt seemed abundantly. Mr. Collins' behavior hurt Elizabeth feeling and pride, her prejudice is seems fake. His behavior refers to his narrow minded and how he is ridiculous person. In this moment Elizabeth understood Darcy's behavior against idiot people and she advised Mr. Collins, but he didn't listen. Elizabeth family put her in critical situation and she was agonies. All of the circumstance of this party makes her feel that her family made an agreement to expose them as much as they could during

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Elizabeth's prejudice against Darcy stems from his original insult of her and his socially superior demeanor. Darcy's insult leaves Elizabeth "with no very cordial feelings towards him" (Austen 9); however, she speaks humorously about the "ridiculous" comment with her friends. Although Elizabeth dismissively jokes about Darcy, her pride inwardly pains, which she subtly admits while the Bennet women are visiting the Lucases. Elizabeth's prejudice continues to grow through her constant arguments with Darcy about various topics including successful women and acceptance of advice from friends. Through these arguments Elizabeth's unfavorable opinion of Darcy's pompous and arrogant personality grows.…

    • 463 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped we would never come there again.” (3) These were the feelings that Miss Elizabeth Bennet possessed at the start of Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen weaved a marvelous tale of love in its rarest and truest form. This love was formed out of a once burning hatred. The transformations throughout Austen’s masterpiece shows how true love fights through the boundary of pride and prejudice which exists in the society of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Jane Austen captivates us through the characters of Darcy and Elizabeth through their altering feelings for one another and the world causing anxiety for the readers at first but ultimately an overwhelming relief for the readers.…

    • 1309 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although distortion is seen throughout the novel, it first becomes most apparent with the introduction of Mr. Collins. Austen has exaggerated his personality, distorting his character into a source of comic relief and humor. This has a profound impact on the novel as it creates the first tension between Elizabeth and her family seen in the novel. The distortion of Mrs. Bennet’s character is also seen here when she threatens Elizabeth that “I (She) will never see her again”(19) if she does not accept. This bold declaration certainly shows conflict and creates drama within the novel. The entire proposal scene is also fraught with social commentary. For example when Mr. Collins proudly declares “My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergy man in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his…

    • 990 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Criticism and manners determine the image given to a person from society. The satire, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, portrays the social life of young women who marry for love or money. The Bennet family becomes the center of attention through the conversing between Jane Bennet with Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth Bennet with Mr. Darcy. Women married the wealthy for security and fortunate living. However, the men devise their own ways of courting women. Mr.Wickham and Mr.Darcy become foils of each other, through their many acquaintances with Elizabeth.…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Darcy is the character most often associated with pride and Elizabeth Bennett with prejudice. Ironically the novel was originally called ‘First Impressions’ an aspect Darcy seems to lack originally. Understanding the world can be perceived in many different aspects; literally or figuratively. The protagonists; Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy capture our attention from the beginning of the novel. Austen is able to contradict the patriarchal society that existed in the nineteenth century, as she builds Elizabeth to be rational, strong and independent. Women were mainly seen in this time to entertain yet Elizabeth did not carry these traits. Her perspective of the world was different to how her mother saw her future, she rejects two men of which rank highly on the social ladder proposal towards her. Ironically she ends the novel marrying the wealthiest of them all. Whereas, Darcy originally is not fond of Elizabeth ‘She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me’ his second glance at her changes his judgement he describes her eyes to be. Darcy emits a character full of pride and…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    He mentions numerous times in the novel how often Lady Catherine condescends to invite him to her house. To him, this elevates his position in society, which is why he devotes so much of his time giving her compliments. It also, however, displays to Elizabeth what she lost in not accepting his marriage proposal. Social status means nearly everything to Mr. Collins, and he expresses that thought of pride with the objects that surround…

    • 662 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jane Austen Quotes

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Darcy is directly related to the way she views Pemberley. Austen first directs the attention to Darcy by stating that he “drew the attention of the room by his fine tall, handsome features” (12). In the same way, Austen reflects this appearance in the estate as well. “It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance” (235). At this point, Elizabeth is forced to think about her decisions and opinions of Darcy.…

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    One of the main insights into Elizabeth’s character is the need to show more affection towards men. Charlotte believes that a woman should show more affection towards men initially, even if they don’t feel that way, in order to show their interest in men. Elizabeth starkly contrasts this, mainly because she does not understand the reason behind it. Not only do their views contrast, but their motives behind these views are juxtaposed as well. Charlotte is driven by the need to be supported by a man and the desire to not burden her parents any longer. On the other hand, Elizabeth believes that marriage should be for the love of another, not based upon dowry or arrangements. Because of the contrast between both women’s ideals, the relationships between Darcy and Collins are understandable. The reason Elizabeth turned Mr. Collins away was because she did not love him and the reason Charlotte accepted his proposal was because she wanted that stability. Elizabeth fell for Mr.…

    • 875 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mr Collins is introduced to us for the first time in Chapter 13, possibly one of the most famous chapters of the novel. This is the chapter in which Mr. Bennet reads “the letter” out loud to his family. This letter gives us the most fundamental impression on Mr Collins’ character. The contents of this letter makes us judge him straight away and this judgement marks the image we have of this clergyman for the whole story.…

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Austen presents Mr Collins to be the most unwillingly comical character in the whole novel through his extreme idiocy and pomposity. From Austen's description of Mr Collins it is clear that he is self satisfied, proud and serious. “Mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman”. This shows that although Mr Collins isn’t in a extremely high position in society he is proud of who he is and perhaps thinks himself to be more important than what he is in reality. In terms of physical appearance, Mr Collins is shorter than Darcy which could suggest that he has a weaker chance of marrying Elizabeth, as Darcy is more powerful and serious. Mr Collins isn’t presented as a purposely comical character, but rather the opposite, he is always serious in every situation and is often blinded by his own ego to see that people often mock him.…

    • 1082 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The third is that it is a family saga. Mrs Bennett is trying to marry off all of her daughters for her to have a better staus and she doesn't even care that Elizabeth doesn't love him. This is mrs bennetts 'raison dètrè'.…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To begin with, Elizabeth is overcome with pride and prejudice. She has a very difficult time coming to a different conclusion of Darcy contrary to her first impression. "His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again...Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feeling toward him" (8). For his part, Darcy looks down on Elizabeth for her place in society. He refers to her as common and not as agreeable as others (7-9). Darcy does not think she…

    • 785 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the good friend of Elizabeth Bennet, Charlotte Lucas, marries the Bennet’s cousin, Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins is a very interesting character in that he acts like a clown, and Austen satirizes throughout the novel by giving him puerile characteristics. He has a lack of knowledge of dancing and an amusing way of speaking (using malapropism). In marrying Mr. Collins, Charlotte makes the right decision because of her personal nature, her lack of attractiveness, and the money she gains.…

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Mr. Collins is a coincidence himself. He might be an obsequious, pompous fool, who lack’s common sense but he just so happens to be the heir to Longbourn and a clergyman for Lady Catherine de Bough who just so happens to be the aunt of Mr. Darcy. His existence creates opportunities for Elizabeth and Darcy to interact. For example, at Mr. Bingley’s party in Netherfield, Mr. Collins brought the reluctant lovers together by unwillingly and unconsciously embarrassing himself. In Jane Austen’s time, social classes were treated with the highest respect. Those higher up the social ladder take great care in keeping their position. This requires years of lessons on the proper etiquette and manners on how to behave in public. Mr. Collins, at the time had not been introduced to the prideful Mr. Darcy. Trying to start a conversation with someone of higher stature was a grave offence. Jane Austen used Mr. Collins to create opportunities where Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were forced to interact, forcing them to get closer to each other.…

    • 2275 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Chapter 13 of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, Mr. William Collins is introduced as a cousin of the Bennet's and heir to their estate through a letter that he sends to Mr. Bennet. Mr. Collins writes the Bennet family to notify them that he is coming to visit them the next Saturday. Upon meeting the family, he seems to be a piteous man often humbling himself and expressing praise of others, while constantly referring to his patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He believes her power and wealth give him value. He is dependant upon her to feel secure and he gains self-esteem through her honorable and powerful reputation. This dependence and his lack of self-respect attribute to others having little respect for him and thinking of him as a sycophantic character.…

    • 568 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays