重庆大学本科学生毕业论文
女性主义解读《傲慢与偏见》中的柯林斯
学生:
学号：
指导教师：
专业：
二〇一二年六月
Graduation Thesis of Chongqing University
A Feminist Reading of Mr. Collins in Pride
and Prejudice
Undergraduate:
Supervisor:
Major: English
June 2012
Graduation Thesis of Chongqing University Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my supervisor, whose advice, guidance and patience have aided me a lot during my study. Her expertise and skills have helped me greatly during the whole process of completing this paper, without her guidance it would be impossible for me to manage and finish the writing smoothly. Her understanding and trust has endowed me with great power to move forward and keep on improving my paper. Due to her kindly assistance and valuable suggestions during the process of my thesis writing, I have made progress during the research. Her kindness to give her time so generously has been very much appreciated. It is my honor and fortune to be instructed and supervised by her during the eight-month thesis writing.
I also want to extend my special gratitude to Professor Mao Ningying and Professor Li Yongyi, whose Academic Essay Writing Courses have bestowed me with a foundation on academic writing and enlightened me with the right way of doing research,
Meanwhile, I would like to offer my particular thanks to my friends and family, for their encouragement and support for the completion of this thesis. Without their help and kindness, I would not be able to finish the paper writing or stick to my research.
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摘要
简·奥斯丁是英国著名的小说家。她见证了浪漫主义和现实主义的发展。她的六部小说都获得了很大成功，被翻译成多国语言，受到普遍欢迎。在浪漫主义和哥特式小说流行的年代，奥斯丁坚持自己的风格，用女性特有的视角来观察周围和世界。
本文以《傲慢与偏见》中的柯林斯先生为切入点，来探讨简·奥斯丁的女性主义倾向。首先介绍了奥斯丁的生平以及她的作品，前人对她本人以及女性主义倾向的研究。第三部分简要介绍了女性主义以及女性主义文学理论的发展。第四部分分析柯林斯先生对待社会地位和财富的态度、对婚姻的态度以及他在家庭中的不同角色，得出柯林斯先生身上根深蒂固的男权社会的烙印。奥斯丁对柯林斯的揭露是对男权社会对女性不公的揭露，体现了奥斯丁的女性主义倾向。
关键词：简·奥斯丁，女性主义，柯林斯先生，男权社会，《傲慢与偏见》
Abstract
Jane Austen is a famous novelist in Britain. She witnesses the development of the Romanism and Realism. Her six books are successful which have been translated into different languages and issued around the world. In the time when the Romanism and Gothic novels were prevailing, Austen persisted in her own style, and she was good at observing the surrounding and the world in unique female perspective.
This paper is based on the character, Mr. Collins, in Pride and Prejudice to research Austen?s tendency of feminism. The first part introduces Austen?s life experience and her works; the second part introduces other people?s researches on Austen and her tendency of feminism; the third part researches the development of feminism and feminist literature theory. The fourth part analyzes Mr. Collins? attitude to social status, property, marriage and his different roles in the family. The conclusion is that Mr. Collins? patriarchal notion is rooted. Austen discloses the unfair ness to women in the patriarchal society by exposing Mr. Collins? characteristics, which shows Austen?s tendency of feminism.
Key words: Jane Austen, feminism, Mr. Collins, patriarchal society, Pride and Prejudice
Contents
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... I 摘要 ................................................................................................................................. I I Abstract ........................................................................................................................... I II
1 Introduction (1)
2 Literature review (4)
2. 1 Research background (4)
2. 2 Research status quo (5)
2. 2. 1 Western researches on the feminist tendency of Austen (5)
2. 2. 2 Domestic researches on the feminist tendency of Austen (6)
2. 3 Research approaches (7)
3 Introduction to feminism and approaches of feminist criticism (8)
4 Analysis of Mr. Collins from the feminist perspective (10)
4. 1 Mr. Collins? attitudes toward different status and property (10)
4. 2 Mr. Collins? attitude towards marriage (12)
4. 3 Mr. Collins? roles in the family (15)
5 Conclusion (17)
Works cited (18)
1 Introduction
Jane Austen is a distinguished British novelist since the early 1790s. She has created six novels which have been adapted for films respectively. All of them have been introduced to the rest of the world by being translated into a large number of languages. Jane Austen, as a truthful drawer of character, was to be classed with those who have approached nearest, in that respect, to the great master Shakespeare (Austen, 2001).
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, at the Parsonage House of Steventon in Hampshire, who grew up in the age of enlightenment. Her father came into possession of the two adjoining Rectories of Deane and Steventon in Hampshire. She had several sisters and brothers. It is a happy family in which the parents were beatific and brilliant. In 1782, Jane, with her sister, went to school in Cooper. By and large, Jane Austen received little formal education, but well educated. Most of her knowledge and her accomplishment should be credited to her plenty of reading. The family?s habit of reading influenced Austen greatly. The category of books was not limited. She read French with facility, and knew something of Italian, and read Fielding and Richardson?s novels, browsed almost every volume of Spectator, and liked Dr J ohnson?s works and Golds mith?s History of England.And Austen never missed Sherlock?s Sermons, Blair?s Rhetoric and Cowper?s poems which could be found in her Sense and Sensibility (Laski, 2004). In sum, Austen?s reading made great contribution to her writing. “Jane Austen is quite different from any novelist before her, and an important part of the difference is that for many years she was not consciously writing for publication”(Carter & Mcrae, 1998, p.255). It is said that before twelve years o ld, Austen began writing. “She k new writing stories was a great amusement, and she thought a harmless one, though many people she was aware, thought otherwise” (Austen, 2001, p.42). Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice are the first versions of her novels which were written from 1795 to 1797. In 1811, her Sense and Sensibility was published which was the first, in spite of several failed attempts. This gave her the impetus, in the last few years of her life, to revise her earlier work and start writing again after a gap of some three or four years. Northanger Abbey was probably the first of Jane Austen?s novels to be completed, around 1798. It was actually sold to a publisher in 1803, but was only published, with the late novel Persuasion, in 1818, the year after the writer?s death. Northanger Abbey
gently satirizes the 1790s enthusiasm for the Gothic novel. Mansfield Park and Emma were completed in 1814 and 1815 respectively.
Generally speaking, the author?s characteristics play an important role in their creation. Jane Austen?s life is smooth relatively with few changes and no great crisis ever broke. Of events her life was singularly barren (Austen, 2001). In person she was attractive. Edward Said describes Austen as a veritable Aunt Jane—na?ve, complacent, and demurely (qtd in Fraiman, 1995, p.807). Austen?s another shining characteristic is her acute observation. Her social background is just …three of four families in a Country Village?, which limits her creation materials. But her acute observation, an indispensible factor to her success, compensates for the deficiency, so that we can read subtle description in her novels.
Some person has surmised that she took her characters from individuals with whom
she had been acquainted. They were so life-like that it was assumed that they must
once have lived, and have been transferred bodily, as it were, into her page. (Austen,
2001, p.113)
Austen is different from other writers in her time, a time of war, when the Gothic novel was prevailing. But Austen deliberately avoids effect, exaggeration and excess. She is one of the greatest writers, and one of the greatest painters of human character. Deviating from the trend of the novels of her time, she focuses her minds on divergent human character and motivation, without any great didactic, moral or satiric purpose, but with a mild irony and insight that make her novels unique.
As one of Austen?s famous works, Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. The original name of the novel is the First Impression. Her father was touched by the novel and recommended it to a publisher, but was refused. With deep disappointment, Austen rewrote the novel, and named it Pride and Prejudice.Austen has created several heroines, but her own great favorite is Elizabeth Bennet. We can see the shadow of Miss Austen?s character in her heroines. To be precise, her personal character was between the heroine of Persuasion, Anne, and the heroine of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth (Southam, 2002). She depicts many characters vividly. The consummate usage of irony is admirable and impressive. Elizabeth?s independence, assertiveness and rationality proves Austen?s tendency of feminism.
In this thesis, I will research the minor male image, Mr. Collins, in Pride and Prejudice. In most cases, researchers apply feminism to research female images. I think it is necessary to analyze male images to research Jane Austen?s feminist tendency. Mr. Collins is the typical representative of the patriarchal society. The thesis will analyze this image from three aspects, his attitudes to different social status, marriage and his roles in the family.
2 Literature review
After the Industrial Revolution, the economy of western world developed rapidly. Consequently, changes in social and economic organization occurred. Meanwhile, the Enlightenment and feminist movement prevailed universally. Both rationalism and feminism were accepted gradually. In patriarchal society, female consciousness began to arouse. Women also recognized their self-worth so as to break away from oppression to rebirth.
2.1 Research background
The change of social structure upsets both women?s survival condition and definition of values. Women?s writing becomes an efficient way for them to show their ambition. Austen, as a female writer, her tendency of feminism has a far-reaching influence.
In On Novels and Novelists, Virginia Woolf (2000) mentions that women are independent in minds. They begin to respect their own values. Female literature reflects kinds of society changes in different ways, especially reflects the change of people?s minds. From the Romantic Period to Victorian era, women writers like Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, encouraged women to strive for rights with feminism being the battle cry. Feminism and realism expose the social reality in that time.
Women express their feelings and the arousal of independent mind by resorting to female texts. The creator of female texts is women, who express females? minds and seek their survival of the situation and road to liberate their spirit (Xing, 2011). The literature in Victorian era is controlled by the male. In the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century, the female began to write. At that time, most of female novels were autobiographical. They aspired to discover their sufferings and argue for their occupations…their relationship with the rest of the world was based on not only spiritual aspect, but also rational and political ones (Woolf, 2000). In the female texts, readers always see the shadow of authors. They are the typical representatives of their time.
Jane Austen (1775-1817) is a female writer who is active in the later Romantic period and the early Victoria era. Li Zeng and Long Rucui (2008) consider that, in the Victorian
era, many of peop le?s concepts have changed s ubtly, as well as the status of the female. Austen?s novels such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility show the subtle changes of the society, and her sympathy to women by exposing the unfairness of the society. As a female writer who is edified by realism, Austen creates several independent and individual women characters, which are evidences of Austen?s tendency of feminism. Her creation is based on female?s unique perspective and standpoint. The theme of Austen?s novels is the marriages of gentlemen?s daughters with the language being subtle and the style ironic. Concise Encyclopedia Britannica regards her as “the first person of family novels”. Jane Austen is one of the pioneers of feminism who has a profound influence on writers afterwards.
2. 2 Research status quo
2. 2. 1 Western researches on the feminist tendency of Austen
There is no doubt that Jane Austen plays an important role in the history of British novels. Many scholars research her and her works. And literary critics are attracted by her glamour, especially her life experience, writing style and feminist tendency. In On Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf (2000) mentions that she [Jane Austen] writes for everybody, for nonentities, for our period, and for her own period…in her works, no tragedy, no heroism exists. Virginia Woolf makes mention of Austen?s writing subjects to analyze the origin of her tendency of feminism. Jane Austen chooses daily life, parties, and picnics as writing subjects (Woolf, 2000). Once in a letter, Austen said …thre e of four families in a Country Village? was …the little bit (two inches wide) of Ivory on which I work…My in tentions were not small-scale. Maugham (2008) analyzed the source of Austen?s tendency of feminism. He mentioned in his book Ten Novels and Their Authors that, Austen?s life witnesses several important events in the history, while she never has any words to describe them, but it is no reason to conclude that she is never influenced by these events. According to the ideas above, we understand that Jane Austen?s life circle is not wide enough, which gives her little opportunity to melt into a more complicated social world. So her tendency of feminism comes from her life experience and her observation of the surroundings, especially the women?s life.
Many western scholars show great interest in Jane Austen?s tendency of feminism. Lloyd Brown (1973) mentioned in Jane Austen and the Feminist Tradition that, “the
experiences and statements of Jane Austen?s heroines, especially in Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice, suggest that Jane Austen is sympathetic to the eighteenth-century feminist revolt against narrow male definitions of female pe rsonality and women?s education”(p.332). And the preface of Jane Austen: the Critical Heritage which is edited by B. C. Southam (2002) mentions that, Jane Austen was enrolled in many causes and seen in conflicting roles—sometimes as a heroine of the feminists. “I have said that Austen?s relation to colonialism may be complicated, though not entirely mitigated, by her protes t on behalf of women like herself” (Fraiman, 1995, p.813).
On the other hand, some scholars query Austen?s tendency of feminism. Judith Lowder Newton(1978)in her “Pride and Prejudice: Power, Fantasy, and Subversion in Jane Austen” introduced that, o n most occasions, Jane Austen, in her letters, has little emphasis on the economic restrictions of a woman, independence, confidence, and pressure to the marriage. Also R. W. Chapman believes that Austen is always ready to illustrate her ballrooms and parties, and refuse to gloss her interests in the social events, such as riots or slaves (qtd in Fraiman, 1995). From these viewpoints, we can see scholars? doubt on Austen?s thoughts. They think rebellious heroines in Jane Austen?s works remain limitation and make concessions to the patriarchal society.
2.2.2 Domestic researches on the feminist tendency of Austen Domestic researche rs? enthusiasm towards Austen is not less than western researchers?. Critics tend to analyze Austen?s feminist tendency in two aspects. Among the researchers, Zhao Xing?s research is more comprehensive. In one essay she writes that Jane Austen takes family and marriage as breakthrough point to explore female?s destiny, and takes female?s real situation as the main contents to protest against the patriarchal society. She highly appreciates female?s wisdom and values, and shows the awareness of female minds (Zhao Yan, 2011). Most women marry for life, money and property, while Austen tries to object to it (Li Yanshu, 1998). Austen?s minds correspond with the feminist movement. On the other aspect, Zhao Xing mentions that, Jane Austen?s rebellious women?s attitude to the patriarchal society is fairly mild…in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth…at last married Mr. Darcy who was gentle and rich, and became a perfect fair lady… In Persuasion, when Wentworth became a rich officer, Anne decided to marry him…the heroines?happy marriages are not the victory of defeating the
patriarchal society. On the contrary, they choose to compromise. On this point, Song Yan (2011) says, beyond doubt, Austen shows the advanced feminism in her time, but it has limitation… progressive female s like Jane Austen had to obey the arrangement of the patriarchal society. Although Austen shows the tendency of feminism in her works, she accepts and believes in traditional concepts.
From the two aspects, we can conclude that, first, domestic researchers confirm Jane Austen?s tendency of feminism. But her mild protest against patriarchal society incurs some researchers? doubt. Their comments show their own perspectives and wisdom, yet we also can say that Jane Austen?s tendency of feminism can be explored further and more deeply.
2. 3 Research approaches
This paper is going to research the feminist tendency of Jane Austen. The research will analyze the text by linking Austen?s social background and education experience. Meanwhile, it will resort to the theoretical basis of feminism criticism. Based on the viewpoints of scholars both at home and abroad, the paper takes Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice as the breakthrough to analyze Mr. Collins? characteristics such as his attitude to status, property and marriage, and concludes that Miss Austen lashes the patriarchal society by exposing Mr. Collins? ugly nature. At last, it draws the conclusion that Jane Austen has the tendency of feminism.
3 Introduction to feminism and approaches of feminist
criticism
Feminism stemmed from ideologists in the Age of Enlightenment. And in the nineteenth century, it became an organized social movement. The original meaning of feminism is female?s liberation. In the 1880s, it first appeared in English; from then on, the word spread around the world gradually (Dang Hongmei & Dang Lingxia, 2008).
The patriarchy has a deeply rooted influence on the world. From a male point of view, female is defined as the Other. In the patriarchal society, the male make every attempt to undermine females? values and confidence. In th e economic, political and social aspects, female are oppressed. Against these backgrounds, the feminism develops. “All feminist activity, including feminist theory and literary criticism, has as its ultimate goal to change the world by promoting women?s equality”(Tyson, 1999, p.92). Feminists analyze that the inferior position of women in the patriarchal society is decided by cultural and social reasons, not biological reason. Feminists warn that if women want to liberate themselves, they should keep struggling and changing their situations. While French feminism emphasizes that the patriarchal society controls women?s not only material and economic conditions, but also psychological experience (Tyson, 1999). In addition, patriarchal ideology operates differently in different countries, races and classes. It takes a long time for feminists to fight for equal rights. What women should do is to liberate themselves. Feminists have offered many different solutions. For example, women try to understand operations of the patriarchal ideology and decrease its influence; feminist theory constantly absorbs new ideas from other fields to renew itself (Tyson, 1999).
In the 1960s, feminist literatary theory which closely relates to feminist movement appeared in the second climax of the feminist movement. Kate Millet?s Sexual Politics is the sign. In the book, Millet rereads the female scripts in the female?s perspective. Before Kate Millet, there was no systematic feminist literatary theory; Virginia Woolf?s contribution was the real origin of the theory (Li Liqin, 2009). Approaches have developed to analyze women?s writing. The questions that follow are offered to summarize feminist approaches to literature:
1. What does the work reveal about the operations of patriarchy? Does the work
reinforce or undermine patriarchal ideology… 2. What does the work suggest
about the ways in which race, class, and/ or other cultural factors intersect with
gender in producing women?s experience… 3. How is the work “gendered”?
That is, how does it seem to define femininity and masculinity... 4. What does
the history of the work?s reception by the public and by the critics tell us about
the operations of patriarchy…5. What does the work suggest about women?s
creativity… 6. What might an examination of the author?s style contribute to the
ongoing efforts to delineate a specifically feminine form of writing…7. What
role does the work play in terms of women?s literary history and literary tradition?
(Tyson, 1999, p.120)
The introduction to fe minism helps understand the development of feminists? goals and their struggle. Approaches of feminist criticism help interpret literatary works, and perceive authors? important ideas of feminism and comprehend how the patriarchal ideology obscure s women?s self-importance. And this research will be done from the perspective of feminist literary criticism.
4 Analysis of Mr. Collins from the feminist perspective
In Pride and Prejudice, Austen draws Mr. Collins as a typical clown purposely. He looks stupid, ridiculous and crafty, and lacks manliness. Jane Austen describes Mr. Collins like this.
Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little
assisted by education or society—the greatest part of his life having been spent under
the guidance of illiterate and miserly father—and though he belonged to one of the
universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful
acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him
originally great humility of manner, but it was now a good deal counteracted by the
self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings of
early and unexpected prosperity. (Austen, 2008, p.82)
He was a tall, heavy looking young man of five and twenty. His air was grave and
stately, and his manners were very formal. (Austen, 2008, p.76)
Jane Austen tries to satirize Mr. Collins. In her description of Mr. Collins? relationship with the Bennets, Lady Catherine, Miss Lucas and his marriage, the tendency of feminism is obvious.
4.1 Mr. Collins’ attitudes toward different status and property
In the story, Mr. Collins makes a difference between different people. He thinks this is a precious art of dealing with other people. That is why he can be appreciated by Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Collins? every word and behavior is deeply influenced by the strict social hierarchy system and rooted patriarchal notions. In his opinion, the only way for him to squash in the upper ten is to cater for the upper class. He does as his mind directs.
In the story, the representative of the upper class is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He even regards her as his patroness. In order to cement his social status, no matter where he is, he never forgets to eulogize his patroness, let alone when they meet. He always takes her words as imperial edict. In the presence of Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins is extremely
deferential and obsequious (Wang, 2011).
Whose [Lady Catherina de Bourgh] bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the
valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavor to demean
myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be very ready to perform
those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England. (Austen,
2008, p.74)
Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town; and by that
means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has deprived the British court of its
brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea, and you may imagine
that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are
always acceptable to ladies. (Austen, 2008, p.80)
From these extracts, we can see how wise Mr. Collin is in applying the art of compliments. His words are extremely exaggerated. When the Collins and Elizabeth have dinner in Lady Catherine?s house, Mr. Collins “carved, and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended.” When they play cards, “Mr. Collins was employed in agreeing to everything her ladyship said, thanking her for every dish he won, and apologizing if he thought he won too many”(Austen, 2008, p.194). I can imagine that playing with Lady Catherine is not a delightful activity, but a good chance for Mr. Colli ns to apply his art of compliment. In Mr. Collins? patriarchal notion, everything about the upper class is right. His responsibility is to ingratiate himself with the upper class. It seems that he has been into their society which meets his desire.
On the other hand, to people whose status is lower than him, Mr. Collins?s attitude is totally different: brush-off. He becomes overconfident and boastful with scornful look. In the novel, he comes into most contact with the Bennets. Before the discussion of their relationship, I shall first talk about the inheritance system in Austen?s time. In the Bennets?family, Mr. Bennet has five daughters without any son. That means, all their property should be entailed by a male relative. That is Mr. Collins. And after Mr. Bennet?s death, Mr. Collins can drive the five daughters out of the house. Jane Austen discloses the truth in the novel, because this is her own experience in her life. When her father passed away, her elder brother inherited the property. At that time, she, her elder sister and their mother had to depend on her brother?s financial help. Because of her sister-in-law?s heartless ness, they had to depend on themselves (Austen, 2001). In the
novel, through Mr. Collins? arrogant attitude towards the Bennets, Jane Austen shows her sympathy to women?s suffering in their time.
To the Bennets, Mr. Collins displays a commanding attitude. In the novel, there is some description to show his behavior. “They[five girls of the Bennets] were not the only objects of Mr. Collins? admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture were examined and praised” (Austen, 2008, p.77). In his mind, the girls are only objects. We can see that, in the patriarchal society, how low women?s status is. Before he went to the Longbourn, he wrote a letter to Mr. Bennet to imply that he would choose a wife from the daughters. He thinks it is a grace for the Bennets if he can marry one of the five daughters. “…that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estat e will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch” (Austen, 2008, p.74). He thought he was the savior of the family because his marrying one of the daughters compensated for the harm which was caused by his inheritance of Longbourn, so that the other daughters couldn?t be chased out of the house. “I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible”(Austen, 2008, p.124). But Elizabeth?s refusal to Mr. Collins? proposal hurts Mr. Collins deeply and makes him confused. Jane Austen upsets Mr. Collins? plan, also the notion of the patriarchal society. M r. Collins can?t believe that he doesn?t fulfill the simplest plan—a visit to the Bennets, seeing his estate in advance and choosing a wife. Meanwhile, Austen deliberately makes his right of choosing a wife infringed again and again. Jane Austen considers Mr. Collins as the target to lash the patriarchal society.
4.2 Mr. Collins’ a ttitude towards marriage
In the patriarchal society, men control all things including women and their marriage. The patriarchal notion is that men are born to make money; women are to keep the house and produce children. This is the patriarchal notion of masculine and feminine (Zhang, 2010). And Kate Millett points out in her famous feminist classic The Sexual Politics that in terms of activity, sex role assigns domestic service: attending to infants to the female, the rest of human achievement, interest and ambition to the male (qtd in Zhang, 2010). In sum, the male should have plenty of property and the female should behave properly and embody the very feminine characteristics.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a g ood fortune must be in want of a life” (Austen, 2008, p.1).The first sentence of the novel has been branded with the patriarchal notion. Although Mr. Collins doesn?t have much money, he is a loyal embracer and follower. Because he has been a clergyman and has a steady income, he wants a wife. His reasons for marrying agree with the patriarchal notion.
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
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 honor of calling patroness (Austen, 2008, p.124).
He doesn?t understand what a marriage is. He just thinks that he should do like that, because as a clergyman, the patriarchal society requires him to marry. Lady Catherine gives him her opinion twice, “Mr. Collins, you must marry” (Austen, 2008, p.124). His patroness has even provided the standard of choosing a wife. She tells Mr. Collins, the woman should be gentle, active, useful and able to make a small income in a good way (Austen, 2008). In sum, the woman should be proper to him as a clergyman.
M r. Collins? life including his marriage must be coordinated with the patriarchal notion. The funniest scene in the story is Mr. Collins? proposal to Elizabeth. His proposal has been planned for a long time, maybe when he decides to go to Longbourn, though he doesn?t know which one of the daughters will be his wife. Mr. Collins does as Lady Catherine directed. At the first, his goal is Jane because she is beautiful and elegant. But, Mrs. Bennet tells him that Jane will be engaged soon. His reaction is but little disappointed. And then his eyes fall on Elizabeth because she is second to Jane in Mrs. Bennet?s opinion. Mr. Collins expresses his so-called affection to Elizabeth. He is very sure that his affluent life and occupation as a clergyman melts Elizabeth?s heart. Unfortunately, Elizabeth refuses the proposal clearly. “It is imposs ible for me to do otherwise than decline them,” Elizabeth said(Austen, 2008, p.125). The following answer of Mr. Collins is absurd.
“I am not now to learn,” replied Mr. Collins,with a formal wave of the hand , “that it
is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly
mean to accept, when he first applies for their favor; and that sometimes the refusal is
repeated a second or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by
what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long” (Austen,
2008, p.125).
According to Mr. Collins? learning, ladies? refusal to men?s proposal is prevailing. They should behave gently, which is the ideal feminine characteristic in his mind. And he believes that Elizabeth is one of them. Meanwhile, Mr. Collins repeats his reasons to marry again and again. Perhaps he thinks Elizabeth is lack of rationality. In his patriarchal notion of masculine and feminine, men are objective and capable of rational thinking, while women are supposed to be subjective and emotional. When Elizabeth runs out of the house, leaving Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet behind, the two are congratulating each other. Both of them think Elizabeth dare not disobey the axiom to refuse a rich man. In the patriarchal society, only men have the right to choose a wife. As for women?s independence and rationality, they think it is unacceptable.
Before Mr. Collins finishes his task, choosing a proper wife, which was assigned by Lady Catherine, he is unable to leave Longbourn. There are so many ladies who have accepted good education for marriage. And Miss Lucas is one of them. After several conversations, Miss Lucas and Mr. Collins decide to get engaged. Although Miss Lucas knows that Mr. Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor satisfactory, she has to admit that, it was the only honorable way for well-educated young women with small fortune; in order to end other people?s gossi p, getting married must be their pleasantest want. In addition, Miss. Lucas is not independent and rational like Elizabeth, who has normal feminine characteristics in the patriarchal notion. Both of them can satisfy each other. They get married. Huang Jing comments that the Collins? marriage is unhappy, because it is based on the economic basis (Huang, 2002). But I assume Mr. Collins feels happy, at least he finishes his task and he complies with the patriarchal notion?s requirement.
Mr. Collins? words and behaviors from his proposal to the marriage reveal that he is deeply influenced by the patriarchal notion which is rooted in his mind. Both his proposal and marriage are deficient in love. In order to please his patroness, he gets married; because of being a clergyman, he should be married. A wife or a marriage to him is just a task which is inevitable. He is really living in the patriarchal society. Through Mr. Collins, Jane Austen spares no effort to lash the patriarchal society.