Pride and Prejudice #4

"'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. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart'" (Austen 95).

At this point in the novel, Elizabeth has refused Collins' proposal. Although she is grateful that the compliment subsisted, she does not have feelings for Collins in any possible way. Mr. Collins mentioned that along with Elizabeth's hand in marriage, he would also obtain Mr. Bennet's estate. Earlier in the novel, we read that Lizzy wants to marry for love. Here, Collins' proposal precipitated, and Lizzy was not ready for this commitment. Marrying Collins would go against Elizabeth's morals. After returning home from her outing with Collins, Lizzy tells her mother of the proposal, and her mother says that she must accept the engagement, or she will never see her daughter again. When Mrs. Bennet discusses this with her husband, Mr. Bennet calls Lizzy down to hear her side of the story, and to reflect upon her feelings. Being the propitious child in Mr. Bennet's eyes, Mr. Bennet wants Lizzy to follw her heart, and not to give into a relationship she has no desire to have.