Using Mr. Collins to illustrate how Elizabeth reflects the
relationship between woman's identity and society is a little difficult
because--essentially--Collins doesn't know what he is talking about! He therefore cannot
be trusted at all on any point, including how society views and defines woman's
identity. As Elizabeth says to Mr. Bennet:
He must be an oddity, I think, ... I cannot make
him out. There is something very pompous in his stile. And what can he mean by
apologizing for being next in the entail? We cannot suppose he would help it, if he
could. Can he be a sensible man,
sir?
Collins’ function is to
make everything that comes out of his mouth seem ridiculous, and Austen succeeds
admirably in doing just that. Yet let's suppose for a moment that Collins represents a
sector of society that is as ignorant as Collins and that has the same ridiculous ideas
as Collins has, which is right to do because Austen chose real types for her characters
and drew them authentically without Dickensian
caricature.
Collins represents a sector of society that
views women as empty-headed beautiful angels who are not only irrational but also like
to aimlessly toy with men's affections (perhaps like Dora in Dickens David
Copperfield). This idea agreed with a broader sector of society that
perceived women's identity as being bound up in the moral and physical management of the
home and household. Charlotte provides a good representation of this identity, which is
reinforced by Lady De Bourgh's continual instructions on how to do what when and how
much to buy where.
Collins is the counterpoint to Mr.
Bennet, who--despite his misguided ways and serious faults--who represents another small
sector of society that allows a woman, as he allows his daughters, the personal freedom
and psychological independence to embrace their autonomy and develop their humanity and
dignity (of course Mr. Bennet's approach to this high and admirable though limited
social trait worked out better for some daughters than others as guidance is always
needed for any child of either sex).
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