Feb 03 2008
Pride and Prejudice Quotes
Thesis: Although Mr. Collins acts in a polite and modest manner, he is pompous through and through and only behaves obsequiously to appear charming to others. His attempt to disguise his pomposity makes him appear ridiculous to those that can see through him. “‘There is something very pompous in his style—And what can he mean by apologizing for being next in the entail?—We cannot suppose he would help it if he could’” (62-63). -Mr. Collins is described as pompous, not as servile by Elizabeth, who has a talent for determining people’s personalities. -Mr. Collins is not able to decline his inheritance, but would accept the entail and deprive his cousins of money even if he could. -He is just apologizing for something he cannot prevent to make his cousins think that he is a good man. “’I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments which may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.’” (67). -Mr. Collins is pleased at his own compliments to others- He thinks up compliments for others purely to please himself, not out of politeness or obligation. -Mr. Collins wants others to think that he comes up with compliments on the spur of the moment so that he can appear charming. “She received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more, apologizing for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself however might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies which introduced him to her notice” (72). -Mr. Collins is being obsequious and unnecessarily polite to appear charming. -He is not really sorry for intruding and thinks his presence is justified by his relationship with his cousins, who are welcome there. -Mr. Collins only apologizes to appear polite; he really feels that he has the right to be there.
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