ter> Explore the social institution of marriage in Austen’s society in a comparison of the proposals of Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett In this essay, I will attempt to answer the above question by going through a number of stages. I will firstly gather a detailed knowledge of what marriage was like in Austens society. From this I will be able to apply my findings to the proposals of Mr. Darcy and Mr.
Collins. Whilst doing this, I will compare and contrast the two proposals and look at the reasons why they wanted marriage, their approaches to the matter and their reactions from the responses of Elizabeth Bennett. In Jane Austens society, marriage was hugely different than that of today. This was evident in every aspect of marriage. Marriage was necessary for women in Austens society. Without it they would have no income and could not create one for themselves.
Women were also unable to inherit property after the death of a previous landowner. These factors mean that women were keen to marry early and not for the reasons associated with marriage of today. Nowadays, people wouldnt even consider marrying if love wasnt involved. During the time in question, however, love was somewhat irrelevant. Public perception of the couple was taken into consideration, however, regardless of the intentions of the couple. Marriage was seen as a status symbol and was closely linked to the class system. Jane Austen knew this society well as she was the unmarried daughter of a clergyman which fell in the social class known as gentry. She had no income and therefore had to depend on her brothers for support.
The Term Paper on Does Pakistani Society Regard Woman as an Angel in House or Source of All Evil?
OUTLINE 1.Introduction: Woman is regarded as an angel in Pakistani society in house. 2.Historical Perspective: a-Arabs regard for woman before Islam-Islam light for woman 3. Islamic regard for woman: a-Mother-Paradise under her feet. b-Daughter-Bless for her father. c-Sister-a great helper. d-Wife-Companion of her husband’s life. 4.Woman in Pakistani society: a-As mother b-As daughter c-As sister ...
All these factors must be considered when looking at the proposals of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins. The Bennett family has five daughters ranging in age from fifteen to twenty-five. They have no sons. In Austens time, this would have been seen as a burden rather than an advantage. For each daughter that is married, a dowry has to be paid and in the case of the Bennetts, you are looking at a huge financial burden.
The Bennett family is relatively well off and own land Longbourn House. As daughters cannot inherit, the land would pass on to Mr. Collins, a cousin of the family. Mrs. Bennett is desperate to find husbands for her daughters. Because of this, she is somewhat rash in making decisions for her daughters futures.
Elizabeth Bennett, the daughter who is focused on in this essay, is the most independent and assertive and unlike most women in Austens time and society, will only marry for love. She presents a problem for the family as she is independent and thinks for herself and is likely to be the most difficult to get married off. The Bennett family has five daughters ranging in age from fifteen up to twenty-five. They have no sons. At Jane Austens time, this would have been seen as somewhat of a burden. This is because, for each daughter that is married, a dowry has to be paid and in the case of the Bennetts, you are looking at a huge financial burden.
The Bennett family are quite well off and own areas of land, in this case, Longbourn house. As daughters cannot inherit, the land would pass to Mr. Collins, a cousin of the family. He will be focused on later in the essay. Mrs. Bennett is desperate to find husbands for her daughters. She is somewhat rash in making her daughters decisions which will decide their future though you can see it from her point of view as she has five daughters to marry off.
Elizabeth Bennett, the daughter who is focused on during this essay, is the most independent and assertive and unlike most women of the time and society, will only marry for love. She presents a problem for the family and will undoubtedly be the most difficult to get married off. Austens opening description of Mr. Collins approach to proposal tells us a lot about his character. Austen writes, Mr. Collins made his declaration in form This quotation tells us two things about the character of Mr. Collins. Firstly, Austen uses the word declaration rather than proposal.
The Essay on Jane Austen House Family Home
Jane Austen was born Saturday December 16, 1775 in the Steventon rectory in North East Hampshire. She was the seventh child and second daughter of Reverend George Austen and Cassandra Leigh. Jane Austen's parents said that "They were pleased to have a second daughter. A present plaything for her sister C assy and a future companion" (Tomalin 4). Her father christened Jane Austen at home. She grew ...
This tells us that Mr. Collins is extremely confident that he will receive a positive answer and even if he doesnt, he remains confident that he will marry Elizabeth. Austen also writes form. This gives the implication that Mr. Collins is not talking about a subject which is close to his heart but is laying down his personal reasons for marriage. This fact is later proved correct.
So, before the proposal has even begun, from a one line description of Mr. Collins, we have learnt that he is extremely selfish and probably does not really love Elizabeth. Austen follows this line with, Having resolved to do it without..business. The first part of this quotation shows us that the only reason Mr. Collins is proposing at that particular time is because he does not want to miss another Sunday at church. These are not the actions of a man truly in love. Austen follows this up with a remark that Mr.
Collins is proposing in a very orderly manner. This reiterates my first point surrounding the lack of love in the relationship. Austen finishes with the word business. This proves to be an operative word in the analysis of Mr. Collins and is to be discovered later on. After asking to talk to Elizabeth, we see the perceptive side of her character as she begins to move away and refuse to talk to Mr. Collins.
This shows us that she knows what is going on yet clearly is not interested in Mr. Collins. This alone would be considered enough to deter him. He is the opposite of perceptive, however, and continues with the proposal. Mrs. Bennett insists upon Elizabeths staying and it is clear that neither her or Mr. Collins are concerned about Elizabeths feelings.
It is quite evident that she does not want to be in the position she has been forced into yet Mr. Collins perceives this quite differently, Believe meperfections. Rather than accepting the obvious refusal of Elizabeth, Mr. Collins follows this up with a compliment directed towards Elizabeth in a futile attempt to win her over. From a readers point of view, this seems pathetic and even humorous as Mr. Collins true character begins to surface.
The Essay on Mrs Bennet Elizabeth Austen Marriage
... his pleasing. He even openly proclaims to Elizabeth "how ardently I admire and love you" (Austen 123). In this comment, Mr. Darcy does ... of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Mr. and Mrs. Collins, the matrimony of Elizabeth and Darcy is based on entirely different reasons. ... no feelings for one another. Charlotte marries the ridiculous Mr. Collins since "it was the only honourable provision for well-educated ...
Even after this, he continues to have the audacity to compliment her further. He says, Almostlife. This is not the complete truth, however, as he originally attempted to marry Jane yet was deterred by Mrs. Bennett. In Mr. Collins finest moment, Austen writes, before I ….
