Comparison of Elizabeth Bennet’s Marriage Proposals in Pride and Prejudice Essay

through and through the course of the novel, Elizabeth Bennet receives two very different wedding party intentions, and a declaration of do. In chapter 19 Mr. collins give nonices to Elizabeth in his long-winded and parvenue vogue, and in chapter 34 Mr. Darcy makes his own conflicting proposal of br otherhood. In chapter 58 Darcy asserts his roll in the hay for Elizabeth despite her previous rejection of him. From the way each man makes his proposal we learn a great deal more or less their characters, and we see Elizabeths own character reflected in her reaction to each.Even by chapter 19, the endorser has been drawn in to such(prenominal) an extent by these characters that we empathise with them greatly, in particular Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The reader identifies particularly with Elizabeth, the protagonist.At the beginning of the novel, long before Collins proposal, we rich soulfulness grown to dislike him. When Collins proposes to Elizabeth, the reader knows that he entrust non be successful. We cave in a distaste for Collins after we argon told he first wanted to marry Jane, but then turned to Elizabeth when he discovered Janes relationship with Bingley. We know he had no affection or attraction to either, so we apply that his private roads towards Elizabeth fail. in front proposing, he effectively asks for permission by informing Mrs. Bennet of his intentions. He planned it out and went about it in such an orderly manner that we imagine that he had rehearsed it. His three discernments for marrying are solely practical I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish. I am sure it will add greatly to my happiness. It is the particular recommendation of the very noble lady Lady Catherine de Bourgh whom I have the honour of work patroness. He is not diverted in cognise.Despite Mr. Collins effrontery of the violence of my affection, he has no true affection or love for Elizabeth, so shows himself to be in unreserved. His snobbery and arrogance are unembellished when he insults Elizabeths family and lack of wealth and uses his connections to the De Bourgh family as a reason to marry him.Elizabeth is amused by the ridiculousness of the situation, but keeps herself composed and distinctly refuses the proposal. It is impossible for me to do otherwise than decline them.Collins is incredulous and tries to dispose himself that she is teasing him. He is condescending and patronizing, and refuses to take her seriously. You are uniformly charming. He reveals his vanity in his premiss she will say yes.Elizabeth viewed marriage as something to be undertaken by two people who were in love. By refusing Collins, she was taking an enormous risk, as no one might ever propose to her again. In the early 1800s marriage was the only way for women in Elizabeths position to provide a secure upcoming for themselves Elizabeths future was in doubt as was her familys estate, Longbourn was entailed. A womans only other options besides marriage were, as women were not permitted to work, to raging with and be dependent upon relatives, e.g. brothers, cousins, married sisters etc. Perhaps if she were swell up amend she might have become a governess.Elizabeths refusal shows her to be a woman with integrity and great tact. She hides her shadeings of distress and diversion, and is polite. When she refuses she is extremely polite, commenting that she is well aware of the honour of your proposals. She is dignified and does not react to Mr. Collins insults about her familys wealth and status, or indeed his willful self-deception when it came to her answer. soon afterwards, Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeths friend, receives an offer of marriage from Collins and accepts. Charlottes view of marriage was more pragmatic marriage was primarily about security love was a secondary criterion. Charlotte certainly did not love Collins it was the hope of pecuniary se curity that attracted her into the marriage, if she were in love with Collins it would only be a luxury. These were the accepted beliefs at the time among the middle and upper crystalisees. Charlotte would dwell a loveless marriage for the hope of financial security.In chapter 34 Darcy makes his first proposal to Elizabeth at Hunsford, the worst possible time for him to do this, as Elizabeth could not have hated Darcy more at this time. She hellish him for the unhappiness of Jane as Darcy had discouraged Bingleys affection towards her, and for that of Wickham, whom she believed had had his inheritance denied to him.Darcy appears greatly agitated when he made his proposal. He enters her room and walks about for a while before speaking, even then to make a hardly a(prenominal) awkward enquiries after Elizabeths health. He was fervently in love with Elizabeth and speaks briefly and passionately. In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings are not to be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. This outburst is in sharp counterpoint to Collins long pre-planned monologue, and shows true emotion instead of false sentiments of affection. just now Darcy is also strikingly similar to Collins in his arrogant presumption that she will accept him, he spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his stock warrant expressed real security. His utter bewilderment that she should refuse him no less resentment than surprise. His complexion became pale with anger, and the disturbance of his mind was macroscopic in every feature. This demonstrates the same sort of conceit that Collins displayed.Darcy then goes on to insult her Elizabeths family and circumstances. Could you expect me to rejoice in the low quality of your connections? His insensitivity to Elizabeth is clear he describes his feeling for Elizabeth as against his better judgement, his good sense of her inferiority of its being a degradation of the family obstacles whic h judgment had eternally opposed to inclination. Again he shows himself to be proud, snobbish and superior, like Collins.Elizabeth is flattered ab initio by Darcys attention, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a mans affection. But Darcys attacks on her self-exaltation provoke her to anger, Elizabeth felt herself growing more angry every moment. This animosity finally climaxes with a severe blow to Darcys upper class sensibilities it spared me the concern in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner.Darcy is take aback and breach by this accusation. Despite his pride, this causes Darcy to reflect deeply on his behaviour and to stipulate it in future.The two of them leave each other, both of them angry and upset.Elizabeth is shocked by Darcys proposal but keeps her composure and remains dignified. She is sunny and strong-willed in standing up to Darcy. She is not moved by his wealth or status and stays true to her principle of marrying f or love. She does not accept the conventions of her time that it was acceptable to marry for money. She is completely honest and sincere with Darcy, and shows great integrity and independence. Elizabeth however is completely serious when dealing with Darcy, compared with her observe politeness when with Collins, whom she found to be ridiculous.In chapter 58, during a trim down by Darcy and Bingley to Longbourn, Elizabeth and Darcy proclaim their love for each other, and it is understood that they will be married. there is no formal proposal from Darcy the idea of a future marriage is implicit.Elizabeth admits that her feelings have multifariousnessd. She had been blinded by her initial poor first impressions of Darcy, and prejudices produced by her being taken in by Wickhams deception. She admits that she was wrong, She explainedhow all her precedent prejudices had been removed. She is embarrassed by the remarks she made to Darcy during his proposal, do not repeat what I then s aidI have been most heartily disgraced of it.Darcys love was unmoved by Elizabeths rejection he yet wants to marry her. He admits the follies of his past behaviour conceit, arrogance, snobbery. I have been a selfish being all my heart, in practice, though not in principle.We know that Darcy had been transformed. Instead of shunning the Bennets because of Lydias social disgrace, he track down the couple and paid Wickham to marry her, thus rescuing the family from ostracism in society. Furthermore, he seeks amends with Jane by encouraging Bingley to marry her by admitting his see of her affection for him, and his concealment of her visit to London. He is also gracious to the Gardiners when they visit Pemberley, even inviting Mr. Gardiner to accompany him fishing.Darcy explains how he made a conscious effort to change after Elizabeths accusation of ungentleman-like behaviour. This was an uncomfortable justice for Darcy, and the reproach spurred him to change his behaviour. Those were your wordsyou can scarcely conceive how they have tortured me. Before I was reasonable enough to allow their justice.Elizabeth tells us how she began to lose her prejudice after receiving a letter from Darcy explaining his actions in the personal business of Wickham and Jane. Darcy mentioned his letterShe explainedhow gradually all her former prejudices had been removed. She is also pleasantly strike by Darcys civility during her visit to Pemberley, and this too affects a change in her emotions.Each of them has helped the other become a better person we feel the two are right for each other. We feel sure-footed that they will be contented together in married life and grow in mutual love and respect.After the correction of Elizabeth and Darcys faults, the two have earned each other. They deserve a content married life based on mutual devotion and financial security, with which Austen rewards them.I feel that Elizabeth was right to reject Collins his focus on the financial an d practical side of marriage was the antithesis to Elizabeths ideal of love in married life. The marriage would not have been happy for either. I also feel that Elizabeth was right to reject Darcys proposal of marriage. At that time, neither had had the opportunity to change in response to each others criticisms, and as Elizabeth would have accepted his offer of marriage without sincerely yours being in love, we, the reader, would lose respect for her, as would Darcy, and it would appear her interest is fiscal rather than romantic. It would also be an unhappy marriage. I feel that Elizabeth was right to agree to marriage in the end. She had overcome her prejudice, and Darcy his pride, and we know that they are a good match for each other. We hope that they will have a secure and happy married life.