The novel Pride and
Prejudice incorporates many characters with many different personalities. As
the story progresses, these personalities clash, creating a whirlwind of
events. The Bennet women are not rich, but they still have very strong
opinions. Elizabeth, in particular, is very proud; Mr. Darcy vexes her. She
does not like Bingley’s sisters. She has a deep disdain for Mr. Collins. It
seems that everyone she comes across she has a problem with. She is very quick
to judge. The whole society in general judges with celerity. It is from their
proud dispositions that prejudice is born. Elizabeth believes that Mr. Collins
is revolting and thus refuses to associate with him. Mrs. Bennet thinks of
herself as far above the Lucas family and thus resents them greatly when
Charlotte is offered Mr. Collins’ hand in marriage. Mr. Darcy cannot even lower
himself to engage in conversation with the Bennet’s when he first arrives because
of his haughty disposition. It seems as if a majority of the characters have a
chip on their shoulder, and that prevents them from being authentic with
anyone. They constantly have their guards up and are deciding who is suitable
enough to even be associated with them. Jealousy courses through them as they
covet what others have while turning away the offers they are given.
One of
the best examples of pride appears in the proposal between Mr. Collins and
Elizabeth. Mr. Collins begins the request by listing all of his reasons for why
he wants to be married. He basically brags about how great he is in the hope of
swaying Elizabeth. He says that of fortune he will “make no demand” (92). He is
making a very enticing offer, but the manner in which he goes about making it
is poorly chosen. He places himself at a
higher level than Elizabeth, and that clearly does not appeal to her.
Naturally, she rejects the proposal, for though she may not be rich, she is
also extremely proud. She claims that it would be impossible for her to ever be
happy with Mr. Collins and thus dismisses him. Mr. Collins does not even accept
her initial refusal. In his head it is just a game she is playing, and
eventually, she will accept. However, he is mistaken. Mr. Collins and Elizabeth
are two of the proudest characters in the novel, so it is only natural that
their encounters would not end well. Their prejudices are too great to be
joined in a union.
No comments:
Post a Comment