-Collins proposes to Lizzy; she does not accept; described in detail
-Collins proposed to Charlotte; she accepts; we hear about it through word of mouth
-Darcy proposes to Lizzy (the first time); she does not accept; described in detail
-Wickham proposes (kind of) to Lydia; she accepts; we hear about it through letters and word of mouth
-Bingley proposes to Jane; she accepts; we hear about it from Jane
-Darcy proposes to Lizzy (the second time); she accepts; Austen basically glazes over it
Why do you think that Austen only describes the proposals that fail in depth, while the reader is not allowed to witness the others firsthand? Is she trying to say something about marriage? Proposals? Maybe she doesn't like writing lovey-dovey scenes? What do you think?
I think that Austen only describes the proposals that fail in depth because readers typically want drama in the stories they read. Also, it allows Austen to develop the characters in her novel and to give more depth to the plot. Stated is, " Mr.Collins, awkward and solemn, apologising instead of attending, and often moving wrong withoutbeing aware of it, gave her the shame and misery which a disagreeable partner for a couple dances can give. The moment of her release from him was exstacy." In these statement, it shows how Lizzy is a stubborn person and then we see her traits unravel throughout the novel. It sets up more actions that will occur later on in the plot and allow the audience to inference her reactions to similair situations. Austen is trying to relay to her readers that marriage does not hold as much weight as a proposal because once you are engaged, it is assumed that the marriage will go by as smoothly as the proposal. It's almost like a "game over" deal with proposals cause that girl has already been called for, so it is a pretty set thing. And then it is also a practical way to tell a story, rather than the lovey-dovey stuff.
ReplyDeleteMy quote came from (vol.I, XVIII, 89)
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though pride and prejudice are most prevalent in the marriage proposals described in depth. Elizabeth's pride does not allow her to submit to social norms by accepting Mr. Collin's marriage offer (even if it means saving her family from destitution). She knows she is too headstrong to be restrained in a loveless, mundane marriage. In the case of Darcy's proposal, both characters show significant signs of pride and prejudice. Darcy struggles with his prejudice towards Elizabeth's unsuitable economic and social status and fights his pride to admit he loves her. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's pride is battered by Darcy's cruel assumption of her character based on the aforementioned prejudices. In addition, Elizabeth rejects Darcy due to the prejudices planted in her mind by Wickham.
ReplyDeleteThe scenes involving the two marriage proposals that failed reveal Austen's belief that people should really ponder their compatibility with the other person before accepting them in holy matrimony. It's quite obvious Mr. Collins and Lizzy would be the most ill-matched couple ever to be written in literature. With Darcy, even though any normal girl would have accepted Darcy's proposal in a heartbeat, Elizabeth remembers all the offenses she thought he made against her and her family. I admire her strength in being able to deny Darcy because it shows she reflected on their compatibility a great deal instead of just agreeing to marry him because he's good-looking and loaded.
Like Austen's characters, her plot is very unconventional. During that time period, love scenes were usually described in great detail. However, Austen decided to break the mold and write about the anti-love scenes because it showed off her unique perspective on the matter.
Oh, and I also think Austen's personal love life failures affected the lack of detail she put in the lovey-dovey scenes...
ReplyDeleteI think that Jane Austen described the proposals where the women declined because they describe the faults of the men who proposed.This shows the "prejudice" part of the book. When Collin proposed to Lizzy she points out that "You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world that could make you so.(vol. I,XIX,105)." By saying this, she shows that she absolutely dislikes him and that she is far from the traditional woman that they could not be compatible together. When Elizabeth declines Darcy's offer, she says "I have never desired your good opinion...(Vol. II,XI,186).Elizabeth shows how she doesn't care at all about Darcy. She thinks he's insignificant. She basically insults him by saying that although he is in a high social position, he means nothing to her.
ReplyDeleteThis shows why the refusals were described in more detail than the acceptance of the proposal.
I believe that, in a way, Jane Austen was sayingthat you don't need to always accept when a man proposes. It could also serve the purpose of showing that Lizzy is a head-strong girl who is not going to jump into an engagement just because she is told to or because the man who asked her has a good social standing. From what little I know of Austen's work I know that all her main-characters are rather inteligent and all know (for the most part) what they want out of life. Austen challenges the way women act through Lizzy. She makes a point that a woman's life is centered around getting married and the fear that if she doesn't marry well she will be out on the street. By having Lizzy turn down two proposals and having her act not like a woman from that time period should she tries to challenge women to open their minds.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jenn that Austen goes into detail for the failed attempts at marriage proposals to show the faults of the men. When Darcy proposed to Elizabeth the first time, the proposal takes up four pages and a good portion of that is Elizabeth listing off reasons why she would not marry him.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Alyssa:
ReplyDeleteI, too, believe that the failed proposals attempts were described in detail for the DRAMA! People love to read/see things that are full of drama. When Austen got in to full detail about the proposals she was able to further the plot and delve into the minds of her characters. Like how she was able to reveal the stubbornness of Lizzy.
In response to Alyssa:
ReplyDeleteI agree that people want more drama than romance but I think that is because they don't typically enjoy the romance like I do. Austen does develop her character a lot better as well.