Pride and Prejudice Chapters 17-19

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth seem to be the only two people in the novel who can carry on a clever, witty conversation, although their conversations are not positive. Most of the characters in the book come off as either stupid or naive, with the exceptions of Mr. Bennet and Miss Lucas. Austen presents so many different personality that it is hard to determine her position on society as a whole. Elizabeth is smart and clever. Jane is kind of a bimbo, pretty but naive because she can only see good in everyone. Mrs. Bennet is an annoying control freak. Her character is interesting because she wants her daughters to get married which does not seem selfish, but she only wants then to get married to a suitable (rich) man, one that hould make her happy, not necessarily her daughters happy. Mr. Bennet is sarcastic and witty, but still succumbs to Mrs. Bennet's desires. Mr. Bingley is polite and modest despite his high social class, as opposed to Mr. Darcy who is conceited and "proud." Austen juxtaposes Wickham with Darcy. Wickham actually seems to be remarkably similar to Bingley, besides the fact that he is enemies with Darcy. Mr. Collins is a stubborn idiot. He chooses "to attribute [Elizabeth's rejection] to [her] wish of increasing [his] love by suspense" after she has repeatedly told him that her rejection is sincere (83). He says that "it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to" (83) Elizabeth when he has seen her talking to Mr. Wickham and dancing with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Collins is actually conceited (or stupid) enough to think that there is no chance that Elizabeth would reject him. The man is dumb.

Mr. Collins description of an "elegant female" (83) shows his perception, and perhaps Austen's, of society. He thinks that no "elegant woman" would reject a proposal of rich man "of consequence" who has important "connections" like Lady Catherine. Also, Mr. Collins is probably even more sure that Elizabeth will accept his offer because her mother approves of the marriage, which may have been all that really mattered in many proposals at that time. Elizabeth defies this perception, and this makes her character stand out. She possesses her own opinions and has her own values, and that is what shocks Collins, that is why she is Mr. Bennet's favorite, and that could be the reason behind Darcy's attraction. She is different.