Not only is Collins’s proposal subpar, his dismissal of her rejection speaks to larger issues within the courtship rules dictated by society, issues that refuse Elizabeth’s right to autonomy and choice. When Elizabeth states, “You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who could make you so” (PP 100), she prioritizes both of their happinesses where Collins does not, therefore demonstrating that, although society does not give her the power of choice, Austen still gives her heroine the autonomy to decide for herself. It is this autonomy that allows Elizabeth to continuously question imposed social positions as well as imposed social conventions. This autonomous questioning allows Elizabeth to consider
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An examination of these interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy shows why Elizabeth ultimately accepts Mr. Darcy’s offer of marriage—an interesting conclusion to the entire affair, given the parallels between Darcy’s shortcomings and those of the abhorred Mr. Collins during the first half of the novel. Unlike with Collins, however, Elizabeth’s rejection helps Darcy realize his shortcomings and admit that his pretensions were “insufficient… to please a woman worthy of being pleased” (PP 313). For Darcy, change arises from the first rejection, and whether he has changed or not is put to the test when Lydia runs away with Wickham, and finally solidifies when he assists in uniting Jane Bennet with Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy is not the only one who has to change, however. Elizabeth, too, must allow herself to let go of her preconceived notions of others. She only arrives at a rude awakening of how “despicably” (PP 150) she has acted when Darcy literally spells it out for her in a letter. By the time the two unexpectedly meet again at Pemberley, she has had the opportunity to absorb the lessons of Darcy’s letter and is at least more willing to believe good things about him. Through these interactions, Austen suggests that the pursuit of happiness in a possible marriage has to work both ways—both …show more content…
Often, the happy resolution of Austen’s novels “is celebrated by the achieved integration of head and heart that is represented by both pupil and teacher coming to loving accord” (McMaster 45)—in this case, Elizabeth and Darcy fill the roles of both pupil and teacher, for each teaches the other to let go of their pride and prejudice. Their relationship is thus based on mutual choice, an understanding of each one’s disposition, a willingness to learn from one another, and a desire of “giving happiness” (PP 313) to one another. Ultimately, Austen’s novel shows women how to seek independence and happiness, while also warning against blind acceptance of the social conventions of the upper class. In subverting the order of a marriage by obligation, the author offers her heroine the possibility of choice and of a love allied in both its intelligence and in its subversion of the social
An examination of these interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy shows why Elizabeth ultimately accepts Mr. Darcy’s offer of marriage—an interesting conclusion to the entire affair, given the parallels between Darcy’s shortcomings and those of the abhorred Mr. Collins during the first half of the novel. Unlike with Collins, however, Elizabeth’s rejection helps Darcy realize his shortcomings and admit that his pretensions were “insufficient… to please a woman worthy of being pleased” (PP 313). For Darcy, change arises from the first rejection, and whether he has changed or not is put to the test when Lydia runs away with Wickham, and finally solidifies when he assists in uniting Jane Bennet with Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy is not the only one who has to change, however. Elizabeth, too, must allow herself to let go of her preconceived notions of others. She only arrives at a rude awakening of how “despicably” (PP 150) she has acted when Darcy literally spells it out for her in a letter. By the time the two unexpectedly meet again at Pemberley, she has had the opportunity to absorb the lessons of Darcy’s letter and is at least more willing to believe good things about him. Through these interactions, Austen suggests that the pursuit of happiness in a possible marriage has to work both ways—both …show more content…
Often, the happy resolution of Austen’s novels “is celebrated by the achieved integration of head and heart that is represented by both pupil and teacher coming to loving accord” (McMaster 45)—in this case, Elizabeth and Darcy fill the roles of both pupil and teacher, for each teaches the other to let go of their pride and prejudice. Their relationship is thus based on mutual choice, an understanding of each one’s disposition, a willingness to learn from one another, and a desire of “giving happiness” (PP 313) to one another. Ultimately, Austen’s novel shows women how to seek independence and happiness, while also warning against blind acceptance of the social conventions of the upper class. In subverting the order of a marriage by obligation, the author offers her heroine the possibility of choice and of a love allied in both its intelligence and in its subversion of the social