Mr Collins Flashcards
“highest opinion…. excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your understanding” - Collins regarding Elizabeth
irony, sarcasm, satire, foresaghwoing
gender roles
mr collins heavy undermine of the wit and intelligence of elzaibeth is shown, as elxiuabeth’s ‘excellent judgemenet’s is merely limited to ‘the scope of her understanding’ through mr collins, Austen is thus highlighting the perpetuation of men - especially those greater in class - to deny the role of women in society merely on the basis of their gender
“I am more fitted by education, to decide is right than a young lady” - Collins alluding to Elizabeth, ch18
irony, sarcasm, forwdhaewoing
gender roles
same as before
“you would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness”- Collins, ch19
symbolism, representation ,
gender roles marriage
furthering mr collins underling of Elizabeth as not being able to comprehend ‘beyond the scope of her understanding’ his role as asymbolci character is advanced in the text. the ‘little unwillingness’ to elzibeth accepting his hand in marriage is a staple to the unwillingness of younger girls to be marriogedm, regardless of their opinions or wants, to a man they have no regard for
“my reasons for marring are… a right thing for every clergyman… to set an example of matrimony in his parish” - Collins, ch19
symbolism, representation
gender roles, personal worth, integrity, prejudge, marriage
the primary reasons for which mr collins highlights the benefits of mraaige to Elizabeth;s is centred around it being a ‘right; to set an example for otters to see. austen thus exemplifies that marriage is often not about the true love ones has for another, but the befits which one receives out of it. this however is not perpettyed by Elizabeth and darcy, who al.though unsulted to each other insiltaty, grow and develop to love each other and thus enter a marriage for affection
“your portion is unhappy so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications” - Collins, ch19
societal consensus
reputation, social class, social advancement, marriage
mr collins thus emphasis that although a desirable chaarcter - enough to incit e im to propose to elizbaehr - it is her wealth, and more specifically the lack of it that insitages his hiestnance to marry, regardless of her character. thus preserving the class order binding Elizabeth to essentially accepting whichever mirage proposal was to come - irrespective of who it may be or her desire to marry
Elizabeth points out in his letter: “there is something very pompous in his style”
pompous
“Conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man”
conceited
“My humble abode”
false modesty
His determination to believe that Elizabeth’s rejection was “the usual practice of elegant females”. This is the high point of his comic absurdity in the novel.
absurd
He arranges “little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions”
The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this”
unsympathetic
He assures Elizabeth “in the most animated language of the violence of [his] affection”
unromantic
“Altogether a mixture of pride, and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility”
obsequious
“He continued to apologise for about a quarter of an hour”
loquacious
“Mr Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to silence himself”
loquacious
“He continued to apologise for about a quarter of an hour”
loquacious
“I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom.” - Collins, ch18
- Supercilious, believes himself equal to rank to aristocracy, his pride. Status provides a reason for pride
“violence of my affections…when we are married” - collins, ch19
- C’s presumptuous proposal to E, with irony - insincerity
“it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you.” - Collins, ch19
- Harsh but truth that E won’t get another offer of marriage as low status
“…with augmented satisfaction…for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved in all of your sorrow and disgrace” - Collins, ch48
- Repugnant, says he was glad he didn’t marry E and that they should cut Lydia off as she will stain their reputation
“It is the particular advice…of the very noble lady” - Collins, ch19
- Family ordeal-more than just the two involved - attitude to marriage.
- Collins proposal ‘father’ ‘mother’ - constant referral shows lack of intimacy in marriage, not personal affair but affects all family, regarding financial and social status too.
“State my reasons for marrying…first…secondly…thirdly” - Collins, ch19
- Collins transactional attitude to marry, devoid of love, making it seem like a duty of a man instead of out of passion. Contrast to Darcy.
“my felicity; ‘will make me the happiest of men” - Collins proposal, ch19 & 22
- Male dominance in Marriage - lots of personal pronouns centred on man - in both of Collins proposals to Elizabeth and Charlotte
“I am to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father” - Collins, ch19
- Rude, talks about death in a proposal, estate always entailed to man
“punctually repeated all his wife’s offers of refreshment” - about Collins, ch28
- ironically Collins is playing female role, Charlotte dominant
“…it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you” - Collins to Elizabeth, ch19
- Considering her lack of entailment, the adverb ‘ever’ emphasise her unlikely prospects of marriage due to low class and lack of wealth
“…most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very superior society.” - Collins, ch38
- Connects fuel pride
“…this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others;” - Collins, ch48
- Collins expresses the disgrace upon the whole B family.
“…gave her all the shame and misery which a disagreeable partner can give.” - Elizabeth about Collins, ch18
- Being a bad dancer had a great impact on reputation
“very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour…If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud.” - Collins, ch5
- Value of man depends on fortune etc (about D) Authorises them to be proud. Wealth provides a right to be proud
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