mr collins para headlines + quotes

english lit cie igcse

paragraph 1

how Austen uses Mr Collins’ flattery of LCDB & proposal to EB to introduce him as uncultured, servile, excessively verbose and unromantic

para 1 “I have…”

“I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished” adverb

para 1 “by no…”

“by no means discouraged by what you have just said” adverb, direct speech

para 1 “it does….”

“it does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy of your acceptance” negatives, compound adjective, noun

paragraph 2

how Austen uses the moment when Mr Collins approaches MD to show his patronising nature, social ineptitude and obsequious nature

para 2 “within…”

“within the scope of your understanding” dramatic irony

para 2 “Mr Darcy…”

“Mr Darcy seemed much pleased with the attention” adverb + verb, dramatic irony

para 2 form and structure

large chunks of direct speech - demonstrates his verbose, relentlessly talkative nature and his social ignorance and self importance as he does not let others talk, assumes they want to listen to him

paragraph 3

how Austen uses Mr Collins’ letter to Mr Bennet after Lydia’s elopement to reveal his darker side, which is portrayed as immoral, lacking Christian values, and unfeeling

para 3 form and structure

letter form - reliable form of communication, used to reveal his true nature, proof of his severity and belief he has the right to morally judge others

para 3 “the death…”

“the death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison to this” noun

para 3 “throw off…”

“throw off your unworthy child from your affection” active/physical verb, compound adjective

larger ideas

used to reveal deep-rooted sexism in Regency Era society, satirical portrait of sycophancy and comment on church/morality

final mention

“console Lady Catherine as well as you can” Mr Bennet’s letter to Collins with news of EB’s engagement to MD - mocking, further derides Mr Collins