Mr. Collins vs. Mr. Darcy
Mr. Collins vs. Mr. Darcy? You’re kidding, right? How is that even a competition? I’d like to believe I am not exaggerating when I assume that most people who have encountered Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice love Darcy and love to hate Collins. Why is this so? What’s the big difference between these two eligible bachelors? Both of them propose unexpectedly to Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice‘s witty main character. And guess what? She rejects both of them, initially at least.
Here’s a quick outline of Darcy vs. Collins in what they READ, WRITE, and SAY.
Read: Oh sure, Collins looooves to read. Why else would he settle in Mr. Bennet’s private library and crack open the biggest book? Unfortunately for Mr. Bennet, Collins mostly ignores his book and chatters away without stopping until he gets the chance to abandon his book. On the other hand, Darcy actually does read, quietly and attentively, even in the presence of friends and a certain determined female who wishes to distract him. Caroline Bingley may try, but Darcy’s eyes are only on his books, though they may stray once or twice to the fiery dark-eyed beauty across the room.
Write: Austen introduces Collins to the Bennets and her readers with a letter full of empty words, repetitive apologies, and flattery. He brags about how humble he is “to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh” (Jane Austen, Her Complete Novels, pg. 207). Darcy’s letters completely oppose Collin’s manner of presenting himself. Darcy may come across as rude, but he refuses to change his behavior only to please those around him. In his letters, his apologies are genuine, his words respectful, but brutally honest.
Say: When Collins shows Elizabeth around Rosings Park, “every view was pointed out with a minuteness which left beauty entirely behind” (Austen, pg. 251). The many, many, many words he says show his shallow, self-absorbed nature. Full of flowery apologies and not-so-subtle insults, Collins’s speech habits reveal his true self. Darcy is stubborn. He knows what he thinks and he does not shy away from revealing his true opinion. At Rosings Park, Darcy remarks that of him and Elizabeth “we neither of us perform to strangers” (Austen, pg. 260). Collins’s expertise lies in performing constantly for those around him. By the end of the novel, Elizabeth teaches Darcy how to maintain his honest opinion while acting like a conscientious gentleman.
Collins and Darcy show their differences in their reading habits (or lack thereof), in the letters they write, and the words they say (or don’t say).
Collins embarrasses and offends others with his overly polite words. Though the society looked down on Darcy when he refused to mask his disdain and disapproval, Darcy’s honesty, sense of humor, and even his stubborness perfectly compliment the novel’s witty protagonist. Darcy’s strength of character is further demonstrated through the flaws and weaknesses of Collins.
