I really liked this passage, because Mr. Collins knows that he is inferior to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. This statement may be untrue to some, but most men are very arrogant and consider themselves the highest on the social ladder, like that of Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Collins demonstrates his acceptance that some people may be of a higher rank then he. However, this moment in the text is the first where I see that the person in the higher position of rank isn't abusing their power. Even Mr. Collins abuses his rank when he invites himself over to Mr. Bennet's home. Lady Catherine, from what I've seen, has extraordinary class for her rank. She really knows how to exercise her power non-abusively, and despite her rank, appears to those inferior to her like Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins cannot find a single flaw in Lady Catherine's nature where he even goes so far as to comment she "is far superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of a distinguished birth" (Chapter 14, pages 66: Penguin Classics).
Thursday, May 6, 2010
4. Distinctions of rank
"A fortunate change had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his rights as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility" (Chapter 15, page 69: Penguin Classics).
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Alex, I think you make an interesting point about what sort of social ladder exists throughout the book. It's true, we don't see Lady Catherine abusing her power as, for instance, Mr. Darcy does. It is clear how Collins feels about Lady Catherine, however it seems almost as though she is a completely different entity- more of a goddess like figure in the eyes of Collins. I think its interesting to see the different personas Collins undergoes based on the people around him. When he is around Lady Catherine he understands his position, but around the Bennet's he seems to overcompensate for that insignificance he feels around Lady Catherine. I think this plays in to the idea that the need for some sort of power is a constant struggle, one which everyone feels the desire to partake in.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how much respect Collins seems to have for Lady Catherine and then the complete lack of respect he has for the Bennet family as a whole. He knows, like Sandra and Alex say, that he is not of the same status as Lady Catherine, yet he shows no signs of shame or remorse when he acts condescendingly towards the Bennets. Collins has his own plans about what he needs per the request of Lady Catherine, and her wants cannot go unmet. I hate how there is always that sense of urgency whenever he is talking about her. I agree with Sandra how he feels inferior to Lady Catherine and therefore does all he can to justify his life in her eyes, and then goes on without turning back in the disrespectful way he treats the Bennets.
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