Question

Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen

“. . . And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the four per cents, which will not be yours till after your mother’s decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.”

It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.

“You are too hasty, sir,” she cried. “You forget that I have made no answer. Let me do it without further loss of time. Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible for me to do otherwise than to decline them.”

“I am not now to learn,” replied Mr. Collins, with a formal wave of the hand, “that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second, or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar erelong.”

“Upon my word, sir,” cried Elizabeth, “your hope is a rather extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who could make you so. Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation.”



from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Question
Use the excerpt from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to answer the question.

What do the contrasting views of Mr. Collins and Elizabeth Bennet show about the cultural attitude toward marriage in their society?

(1 point)
Responses

Family opinions mattered less than the opinions of powerful people for a successful proposal.
Family opinions mattered less than the opinions of powerful people for a successful proposal.

Financial security did not matter for a successful marriage.
Financial security did not matter for a successful marriage.

People were expected to marry for duty and tradition rather than emotional connection.
People were expected to marry for duty and tradition rather than emotional connection.

Women believed they should hide their true feelings to secure a proposal.

Answer 1

People were expected to marry for duty and tradition rather than emotional connection.

Mr. Collins treats marriage as a social duty and expects compliance with convention, while Elizabeth insists on marrying for personal happiness and emotional compatibility.