Monday, January 17, 2011

Compare and contrast the marriage proposal of Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's response to them in "Pride and Prejudice". the answer...

Collins proposes to Elizabeth  on Wednesday  November 27th  at  her own house (Ch.19). Darcy proposes to Elizabeth at the parsonage at Hunsford during the Easter season when she was visiting her friend Charlotte who is now married to Mr.Collins (Ch.34).

Collins is a cousin of Mr.Bennet who will inherit Mr.Bennet's estate after his death. This is why he is so arrogant and  confident that Elizabeth will not reject his proposal.  Darcy is also a very proud man because of his immense wealth and his large estate and he is also confident that Elizabeth will not reject his proposal. Both of them take Elizabeth for granted and impress upon her that they are actually doing her a great favour by marrying her  and try to  exploit her financial distress to their advantage. They do not care to find out leave alone respect  her  feelings with regard to marrying them.

Both of them are completely unromantic men. Their  arrogance prevents them from praising her beauty or her intelligence or flattering her before seeking her consent.

In Collins' case Elizabeth was aware that Collins had decided to marry her as early as Ch.17. but she never had any inkling that Darcy was interested in her and his proposal takes her completely by surprise.

Collins gives three general reasons why he wants to marry without specifying why he wants to  marry Elizabeth in particular. Darcy blurts out his love and admiration for Elizabeth in particular.

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