Pride and Prejudice · Chapter
Chapter XIX explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Collins formally proposes to Elizabeth Bennet, outlining his reasons for marrying and his expectation that she will accept. Elizabeth firmly and repeatedly refuses, but Mr. Collins refuses to take her refusal seriously, believing it to be mere female modesty. Elizabeth resolves to seek her father's support to end the matter.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Mr. Collins's proposal is based on duty, convenience, and social expectation rather than love, contrasting with Elizabeth's insistence on genuine affection.
Social Class and Status
Mr. Collins emphasizes his connections to Lady Catherine de Bourgh and the inheritance of Longbourn as key advantages in his proposal.
Gender Roles and Inequality
Mr. Collins dismisses Elizabeth's repeated refusals as mere female convention, reflecting the limited agency women had in marriage negotiations.
Characters to notice
- Elizabeth Bennet
Receives and rejects Mr. Collins's proposal with wit and determination.
- Mr. Collins
Makes a formal, condescending proposal to Elizabeth, citing duty, Lady Catherine's advice, and the Bennet family's financial situation.
- Mrs. Bennet
Eagerly facilitates the proposal by leaving Elizabeth alone with Mr. Collins.
- Kitty Bennet
Briefly present at the start and then sent away by Mrs. Bennet.
- Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Referenced by Mr. Collins as his patroness who advised him to marry and as a future connection for Elizabeth.
Key passages
“My reasons for marrying are, 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 honour of calling patroness.”
Mr. Collins explains that he wants to marry because it is proper for a clergyman, it will make him happy, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh told him to.
Mr. Collins's proposal is motivated by social duty and deference to his patroness, not personal affection.
“I do assure you, Sir, that I have no pretension whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it.”
Elizabeth insists she is not playing hard to get and genuinely refuses his offer because she has no romantic feelings for him.
Elizabeth asserts her sincerity and autonomy, rejecting the stereotype that women must be coy in response to proposals.