Mr. Collins' Proposal

Mr. Collins' Proposal

Multiple Select

What is a real thing Mr. Collins said to Lizzy after her rejection? Select all that apply.

• My situation and attachment to Lady Catherine would elevate your status.

• Your lack of money will negate your beauty - aka your poverty makes you ugly.

• You don't actually mean to reject me, you are just playing hard to get.

• I am only asking to marry you because I was told Jane was engaged.

Take out your packet and enter your answers. The skill of literary analysis involves the ability to make informed claims based on inferences and a close reading of the text; the ability to back up and explain those claims with evidence, and the ability to critically question one's own opinions, and explore different perspectives.

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​Literary Analysis

For Example: Through his marriage proposal, Austen characterizes Mr. Collins as being entirely self-serving and egocentric.

Doesn't the fact that he wishes to marry a Bennet daughter, with concerns for the entail, show that he does care about their long-term well-being too?

​Question the Claim

His reasons for marriage barely concern Elizabeth; they are predominately about what will increase his status and please Lady Catherine. Moreover, he is motivated by the idea that "it will add very greatly to [his] happiness."

​Provide Evidence

Multiple Choice

Based on this quote: "Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart."

What claim might this highlight?

• Through Elizabeth's strong response, Austen presents Elizabeth as someone with strong feelings.

• Through Elizabeth's rude response, Austen presents Elizabeth's pride as both an attribute and a fault.

• Through Elizabeth's forthright dialogue, Austen presents a female character who is not ashamed of diverting from social expectations of her gender.

• Austen presents the disparity between class in Mr. Collins and Ms. Bennet.

Make a Claim: Through Elizabeth's forthright dialogue, Austen presents a female character who is not ashamed of diverting from social expectations of her gender.

How easy/common was it for a woman to turn down a marriage proposal? Is Elizabeth's response disrespectful?

​Question the Claim

"Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart."

​Provide Evidence

Multiple Choice

What is Mrs. Bennet's response to Elizabeth's rejection of Mr. Collins?

• She agrees with Elizabeth that she should not marry Mr. Collins and instead find someone she likes.

• She is not surprised by Elizabeth's behavior, but still insists that Elizabeth thinks of her family.

• She is stunned and threatens never to see to her daughter again unless she apologizes and accepts Mr. Collins.

Open Ended

Make a claim about what Austen is saying about Mrs. Bennet through this interaction

Make a Claim: Austen characterizes Mrs. Bennet as out of tune with her own daughters; she is utterly consumed with getting them married with little concern for their happiness.

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What question could we make here that considers the other side of this argument?

​Question the Claim

"She is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest, but I will make her know it."

"I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful children."

​Provide Evidence

Multiple Choice

Select the BEST question we could ask in response to the claim that Mrs. Bennet is not concerned for the happiness of her daughters?

• Mrs. Bennet has no other choice than to try to push her children into marriages she deems financially stable.

• Isn't concern for her daughter's financial future evidence of caring for them?

• Is Elizabeth right?

• Does Jane agree with Mrs. Bennet or Elizabeth?

Make a Claim: While Mr. Collins' failed proposal is deeply humorous and comedic, Austen still manages to hint at the very serious business of marriage - particularly for women - within this society.

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What question could we make here that considers the other side of this argument?

​Question the Claim

Mr. Collins argues that "it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you." While amusingly tactless, it is true and reminds the reader that proposals should not be taken lightly.

​Provide Evidence

Open Ended

Write a good question that provides the counter-argument to this claim: While Mr. Collins' failed proposal is deeply humorous and comedic, Austen still manages to hint at the very serious business of marriage - particularly for women - within this society.