Darcy Vs. Collins Proposals

In both proposals to Elizabeth there are rhetorical devices used. Mr. Collins uses appealing to authority, ethos, and logos to emphasize his proposal to Elizabeth because he thinks she will just say yes. He sees marriage as a business more than for love. Darcy uses pathos and ethos to emphasize his proposal because he actually loves Elizabeth and wants to show her that. Mr. Collins is unsuccessful while Darcy later on is.

The contrast between Mr Collins' proposal and Mr Darcy's proposal is highlighted by the proposals’ varying styles, which shows the reader the emotions fuelling the proposals. Austen portrays Collins' proposal as arrogant and rehearsed, and this juxtaposes Darcy's proposal which is portrayed as much more authentic. Collins during the proposal is described as having ‘no feelings of diffidence’ (chap 19). Darcy, on the other hand, is tenser, even though in the Regency period it was rare for a woman of Elizabeth's status to ever turn down a man of his eligibility. Darcy's proposal is said, ‘in an agitated manner'. This shows that Darcy is expressing his feelings and is "agitated" because he is not sure they are reciprocated.  Collins proposal is overly rehearsed, for example, he lists his reasons for wanting to marry Elizabeth, "My reasons for marrying are,

Collins. The act that all women must marry a man displays the control males have over females. Regarding pride, in Pride and Prejudice, even the title uses the term, and it is referring to the pride of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Austen 12). Mr. Darcy’s description of Elizabeth Bennet at the ball demonstrates how self-centered Darcy is, as he places himself above any woman, due to his wealth and reputable heritage. The emphasis on the term, me, illustrates how highly Darcy sees of himself; unique and significant. Darcy’s vice of pride is a flaw which negatively affects Elizabeth, as his rude remark about her beauty as Elizabeth detaches any potential cordial feelings for the egotistical man. “Darcy’s pride that, far from being morally reprehensible, are connected with family tradition” (Morini 10). With the use of critical thinking, Darcy’s gratification of himself is rooted back to family traditions. Darcy comes from a family of upper class and one with a fortune, and his misogynistic and prideful characteristics come from the people who raised him. Therefore, it is evident that in that era, it is common for a man to view himself superior to a woman, as it even dates back to generations prior. Due to the lack of respect displayed by Darcy, Elizabeth begins to despise of the man, and even later goes as far as

or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense

In the first proposal, Mr. Darcy surprises Elizabeth with his presence, and after his brisk entrance, “He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up walked about the room.”(Austen 162) He proceeds to initiate his proposal to Elizabeth, making her increasingly more irritated. When Mr. Darcy expects excitement and compliance to his proposal, he is met with Elizabeth’s curt words, saying how displeased she was that Mr. Darcy was focusing on how socially inferior she was to him, and how his romantic feelings for her were developed against his will. She continues to refuse his proposal by mentioning that he was an agent in his sister’s happiness because he stopped the progress Jane and Bingley’s relationship. From my analysis of the text, Mr. Darcy’s first proposal is brimming of misunderstanding and lack of respect of each other, which is also physically shown

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want if a wife"

The “truth universally acknowledged” in the opening lines of Pride and Prejudice “that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” defines the

Austen opens the novel by telling us, “It is a truth universally acknowledge, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”(7) The act of marriage during this time period an act of comfort rather than love. A woman married a man when it was ensured she would live a prosperous and wealthy life. Affection was not enough for women to marry; however, Elizabeth knew that in order for her to be happy, love must be there. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth was promised of a comfortable life by three gentlemen but turning all three down because her affection was

When Elizabeth flatly turns down his marriage proposal, it startles Darcy into realizing just how arrogant and assuming he has been. Soon, there is reconciliation between Darcy and Elizabeth where each admits how much they have changed as a result of their earlier encounters. An example of this is when Lady Catherine visits to insure the marriage between Darcy and Elizabeth. She came in order to prevent it, but when Darcy hears the manner in which Elizabeth answered Lady Catherine, he realizes that Elizabeth regards him differently. He saw that her attitude of him had changed which prompted him to make his marriage proposal. Thus, we can now see that Darcy and Elizabeth both have balance in their relationship because they are able to reflect against each other and each is capable of undergoing a change. In the end, Darcy is willing to marry into a family with three silly daughters, an embarrassing mother and is willing to make Wickham his brother-in-law .It may be that he is more easygoing about other people's faults because he is now aware of his own.

“ ‘She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me’ “ (Austen 13) is the first impression Darcy had of Elizabeth. Coincidentally, his remark is heard by Elizabeth. This eventually led them to the belief that they both had too much pride in themselves, but as they continued to see each other, they began to understand each other which eventually led them to be married. Austen is sarcastic in Pride and Prejudice because someone in Darcy’s social class, should not have end up with someone like Elizabeth with no education or manners. This can be seen when Darcy proposes to

Elizabeth thinks of Darcy as being “the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world” (15). After Darcy discomfits Elizabeth, “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me” (13), she herself becomes prideful and prejudiced against him. Prejudice also is an issue for Darcy because he dislikes Elizabeth in the beginning for her low social status, for being impecunious and socially inept family: “Their struggle is as much as against each other as it is against the pressure of society or family. The novel presents a balance of power not only between two characters but between two conflicting modes of judgment” (Bloom 50), but Darcy is forced to deal with his pride and prejudice when he falls in love with Elizabeth. Elizabeth rejects Darcy’s first proposal based mostly on his pride and condescension.

‘The train of agreeable reflections, which her observations gave birth to, made her perhaps almost as happy as Jane.’ This reflects on their compatibility. The other ‘ideal state’ of marriage, which is maybe more so than Jane and Bingley, is seen in Darcy and Elizabeth. Their compatibility is blinded to each of them because of Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice.

one so he can say he is married. This is why he is not the ideal

He unwittingly introduces himself to Darcy and recieves a cold reception Whilst joining in the festivities, it becomes clear that Collins greatly admires Lady Catherine De Bourgh, his groveling adorations add to his foolery. He continues to examine every inch of the house comparing it directly to Rosings, in a very rude manner. Just as Collins tedious absurdness reaches its height, Elizabeth begins to fall for Wickham's charms and stories of hate against Darcy and Collins proposal

When it comes to love, some people think opposites attract. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice tells the story of an unlikely relationship between two people with opposite personalities. Elizabeth Bennett is free-thinking and playful. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a wealthy, snobbish, shy man. As the book begins, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth instantly dislike one another. Mr. Darcy thinks Elizabeth’s appearance and social connections are beneath him. Elizabeth thinks Mr. Darcy is prideful, rude and snobbish. In a short time though, Mr. Darcy sees that there is more to Elizabeth than he first noticed. Later, Elizabeth finds there is more to Mr. Darcy. When they both look past their first impressions,