Relationships In Pride And Prejudice

Relationship in Pride and Prejudice

In the novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, several, if not all of her characters, can confirm the belief that in order to achieve happiness one must discard their pride and in turn, replace it with self-respect accompanied by some humility. In addition, acceptance and mutual respect must replace one's prejudice. The novel reveals four couples that live through social inconviences. The setting, although the novel does take place in many different places, is mainly broadcasted from Longbourn, somewhere in England. It is set around the Bennet family, which consists of seven members. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and their five daughters which of whom none are yet married. At this period in time, marriage was based a great deal upon money and reputation, not so much love and trust. When a single man entered town, he was called upon only if his financial situation was above normal. Marriage was based around land, family connections, and wealth. In many minor characters of the novel, pride is a common characteristic. Mrs. Bennet, for instance, is extremely proud when it comes to her daughter's marriages of mercenary benefits. She is so concerned that her neighbors have a high opinion of her that her own vanity will not

Proposal Scenes The first proposal scene deals with Mr. Collins's proposal to Elizabeth, this is a very odd occurrence as Mr. Collins is Elizabeth's cousin and he sort of appears from nowhere and expects Elizabeth to marry him. This is what is funny about this proposal because Mr. Collins expects Elizabeth to marry him because he is a clergy man and it would be right and proper for him to marry a lady like miss Bennett.When Mr. Collins, a tall, swarthy young man of twenty-five,arrives, he heaps indiscriminate praise on everything. He compliments Mrs. Bennett on her cooking and speaks highly of everything about the girls. In every way, he appears to be a peculiar figure. Mr. Collins asks Mrs. Bennett "May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?"Mrs. Bennett agrees and tries to leave the room taking Kitty with her but Elizabeth stops her and says "Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself."But Mrs. Bennett Makes a fuss about How Lizzy should stay and hear Mr. Collins out and so she decides not to argue with her mother and she stays. Mrs. Bennett and Kitty leave the room and as they shut the door Mr. Collins begins his proposal speech to Lizzy, he lets her know that he has "her respected mother's permission for this address." meaning that he has already asked for Mrs. and Mr. Bennett's permission to marry her, I think it at this point that Lizzy begins to feel slightly worried about Mr. Collins' address. He then goes on to say "Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my future life." This must have given Lizzy quite a shock, because she knows Mr. Collins is about to ask her to marry him. When he then says

"But before I am run away with by my feelings" Lizzy almost bursts out laughing because: "The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing, that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him further". This is fairly amusing, as Lizzy meant to shut him up but couldn't and so Mr. Collins Continues by telling Lizzy the reasons for his marrying her: "My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced that it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly-which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness."Mr. Collins continues on the subject of how they are to be married and what shall happen when they are married. He concludes his speech by saying "On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married."At which point Lizzy finds it necessary to interrupt by saying, "You forget that I have made no answer. Let me do it without further loss of time. Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to decline them."Mr. Collins is highly offended and asks Lizzy if it is usual for ladies to refuse proposal from gentlemen. Lizzy replies "I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring

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