Mr. Collins

As long as we're on the subject of Pride and Prejudice (see below), it might be fun to consider one of that novel's most interesting characters, the grandiloquently silly Mr. Collins. My take is that Austen intended him as a satire of the kind of person who would choose the clergy as a career move, but in reality has little or no true religious inclination.

As others have noted, Mr. Collins is a pompous ass, a toady, and a hypocrite. His proposal to Lizzie is a calculated move, and when he is rejected it is only his pride that suffers---and even that not for long. But by far the worst thing that Collins does is to advise Mr. Bennet to turn his back on the errant Lydia (following her elopement with Wickham) and never allow her in the family's presence again. This demonstrates what a cold, unfeeling, and thoroughly despicable individual he is; a clergyman without an ounce of Christian forgiveness. (Mr. Bennet knew what he was talking about when he half-jokingly warned Lizzie that he'd disown her if she accepted Collins' marriage proposal).

I suppose Charlotte figured it wasn't going to get much better for her, and so decides to make the best of the situation. I also think that Charlotte was probably less intellectual and bookish than Lizzie, and all in all probably happy with her domestic duties and her place in the community.

Regarding Mr. Collins ‘advice’ on dealing with Lydia, Here is the passage as it appears in the novel: Mr. Bennett is reading from Collins' letter:

-Mr. Collins, moreover, adds, 'I am truly rejoiced that my cousin Lydia's sad business has been so well hushed up, and am only concerned that their living together before the marriage took place should be so generally known. I must not, however, neglect the duties of my station, or refrain from declaring my amazement, at hearing that you received the young couple into your house as soon as they were married. It was an encouragement of vice; and had I been the rector of Longbourn, I should very strenuously have opposed it. You ought certainly to forgive them, as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing." -- *That* is his notion of Christian forgiveness!---

Mr. Bennett's exclamation---"*That* is his notion of Christian forgiveness!"---indicates that he is astonished by Collins' advice, and that it is far from being (as some have suggested) the received wisdom of the time.

Of course, Mr. Bennett is able to have his revenge at the end, when he is able to write to Collins informing him of Elizabeth’s impending marriage to Darcy:

"Dear Sir, -- "I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew; he has more to give. -- Your's sincerely, etc."

Talk about a sweetly ironic twist-of-the-knife!