P&P Ch. 21-1

1) "'Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza?--Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?'" (Austen 96).

I get the feeling that Charlotte has ulterior motives for her marriage to Mr. Collins. The way she said it made it--at least to me--feel like she was rubbing it in Elizabeth's face. I think she has always been slightly jealous of Elizabeth's beauty and intelligence, when she's always simply described as plain. I do not doubt she is still friends with Elizabeth, but now this is a small payback for everything. Charlotte does not care for marriage or for men for that matter, but when she sees Mr. Collins, she only takes him up as a way to be better than Elizabeth. In a novel about class and reputation, this seems like it would make perfect sense even among the best of friends.

2) "'My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins's respectability, and Charlotte's prudent, steady character. Remember that she is one of a large family; that as to fortune, it is a most eligible match; and be ready to believe, for every body's sake, that she may feel something like regard and esteem for our cousin'" (105).

Once again, Jane serves as the voice of reason of the Bennet sisters. She is the perfect antithesis of Elizabeth's prejudiced statements. Here, Lizy is arguing with knowledge of only her own side, that no woman can find Mr. Collins suitable enough to marry, and that she's puzzled as to why Chrlotte would marry him. Jane comes right back at her and points out the logical steps in Charlotte and Mr. Collins's mainly mercenary marriage.