Mr. Collins Proposal Analysis

Stephen Simmons
AP English/Mr. George
9/28/09
Proposal Analysis

Mr. Collins’ proposal or argument is ineffective because he fails to use pathos, he uses logos and fails to appeal to Elizabeth through his foolish reasoning and ideals.

Mr. Collins initiates his proposal by talking about Elizabeth and praising qualities that he is attributing to her “unwillingness…natural delicacy” and explaining why it was that he had chosen her to marry. However, he falls short, and does not enlighten Elizabeth about any of his qualities, or any emotions or feeling he may have for her. This is one of the many mistakes Mr. Collins makes throughout his proposal. Proceeding his opening explanation, Mr. Collins lacks pathos because he deliberately states three reasons as to why he must marry Elizabeth, that have more to do with logic and convenience than any kind of emotion. It is as if is reading them from a proposal for dummies book, he says:

“My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly – which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness”(Austen)

Mr. Collins lacks pathos because his proposal relies on reason and logic, and no emotion. Although Mr. Collins uses logic and reason to make a case for Elizabeth to accept his offer, he uses his knowledge and logic in the wrong way. His reasons circle around him and only him. His desire to have a wife, to please Lady de Bourgh and help the Bennet Family out. He does not cause his words to naturally flow from his heart, but from his head and selfishness. After unconvincingly stating the reasoning for his proposal Mr. Collins produces many arguments as to why Elizabeth must be with him. He states that if Elizabeth were to marry him, that she could keep their families home in the family because Collins would inherit the estate after Elisabeth’s father’s death. Mr. Collins keeps digging himself into more and more trouble, and as he does so, no real emotion or human feeling is expressed.
Although there is no real emotion or feelings in his initial proposal and other arguments, one could also argue that although his intentions and approach seem a little unorthodox or wrong, but considering the time period, Collins does make a good offer in the sense that he would allow her family to still live in their home and not be left with nothing and marrying Collins would be in the best interest for not only Elizabeth, but for her family as well.
Mr. Collins, after enduring one of many waves of rejection simply responds by saying:

“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 favor; 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 alter ere long”

Mr. Collins has no emotion and lacks pathos; he is blind to anything that may be seen as not logical. Elizabeth rejects him more than one time and he continues to bring up foolish points about women and her economic standpoint. Throughout the whole proposal it is obvious that his speech is exquisite. However, the means in which he speaks is not. Throughout the proposal Mr. Collins uses his own logic to make things worse by assuming he knows the ways of women’s rejection and does not take Elizabeth seriously. Mr. Collins lacks the only thing that many women would agree completes a proposal, pathos.