People, did you know that there is a gross universal oversight right in the middle of Pride and Prejudice?
In Chapter 13 (it’s a sign!), Mr. Collins comes to town. Sing it with me: he eyes Jane, nearly causes a permanent rift between Lizzy and one or both parents, leaves with the ever-practical Charlotte Lucas in tow, and removes himself to a life of enthusiastic gardening in the shadow of Rosings Park. The End. But I’m here to tell you that, in this series of events, Mr. Collins completely misses the potential love of his life.
That woman?
Miss Mary Bennet.
It’s not made clear in the novel why Mary and Mr. Collins never hit it off, but it seems to me this is a major error in somebody’s judgment. How is this not a match made in awkward heaven? Two extraordinarily earnest people, each with a strong guiding principle (Morality for one, Lady Catherine for the other) and a complete unawareness of their own ridiculousness? They belong together. Think of the long, serious conversations! Think of the hilariously didactic children! Think of the copy of Fordyce’s sermons in Mary’s bedside table!
(Ew. Sorry.)
The trouble here must lie with Mr. Collins, as we know that Mary appreciates Mr. Collins’s original self-inviting letter to the Bennets, and rumor has it (unconfirmed by a helter-skelter scanning of the relevant chapters; help, sharp-eyed readers?) that further thoughts about Collins’s mate potential do cross her mind at some later point in the novel. It’s true that Mary might have something to say about Rosings and the importance of simple lifestyle, but one beatdown by Lady Catherine, and the accompanying coronary on Collins’s part, ought to nip that in the bud. Are we surprised that it’s Collins who’s wandering blind, here? Frankly, nothing surprises us at this point. But you’d think that the young lady with the book of proverbs burning a hole in her pinafore might be a bit of a turn-on, no?
I don’t get it: is he looking for a different girl with whom to share his love of leisurely theological inquiry? Is he one of those guys who refuses to, as Rob Gordon says during that one part of High Fidelity, punch his weight? Does he not enjoy a nice evening of questionably-tuned music? Or does Charlotte simply get to him first, the lucky lady? Whatever the case, a re-considering of the Bennet family and the joys of middle sisters might have been the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Or something.
Tagged: Charlotte Lucas, High Fidelity, Jane Austen, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mary Bennet, Mr. Collins, Pride and Prejudice, Rob Gordon, Rosings Park on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 · 11 Comments »
The thought has crossed my mind more than once before, and I completely agree with you that Mary would perhaps have been more appropriate for Mr. Collins than Charlotte.
I believe that it says somewhere in the book that after Lizzy rejected Mr. Collins, Mary thought she would be next in line or something. I can’t remember exactly where it said that, but I remember something to that effect.
I have thought that from the very first time I saw the mini (I admit, I saw the mini before I read the book–*shame*).
Another vote for Mary and Mr. Collins being a good match. Will have to schedule a re-read with the issue in mind… (Any excuse to read P&P is a good one, right? LOL)
I don’t remember if it’s in the book (embarrassing since I read it two weeks ago), but they definitely play up Mary’s interest in most movie adaptations.
As for why Collins doesn’t go for it, when he first arrives at the Bennets, he’s focusing exclusively on the pretty ones, even though they’re way out of his league (is that what the “punch your weight” thing means?). Then after Lizzie rejects him, his pride is pretty hurt; I don’t think he would have pursued another Bennet right off, even without Charlotte Lucas.
But some time later, after the hurt had subsided, Mary could have been the one for him. You’re right, they’re perfect for each other, and I always felt rather sorry for Mary. Sorry for both of them, really; they missed a chance at a decent relationship because Collins has an over-inflated sense of his own desireableness.
I’ve always thought that too!!!!
always wondered that too. And even more, that Mrs. B didn’t hit upon them immediately as the perfect couple. Surely it was Mary whom she despaired most of ever finding a mate for….
Collins felt insulted by Lizzie’s rejection. In her book, Austen shows us it was all about him. He wanted to insult the Bennets in return. And Austen wanted us to see how critical the Bennet family’s situation had become:he was to inherit their home, Since Lizzie didn’t want him, he intended to kick them out—NO WELFARE SYSTEM BACK THEN! Austen was an activist. Her beef was with a society that disallowed women to inherit the familt estate, and therefore live in the poor house. All her novels presented the same theme. Mary Bennet was a secondary element in a major crisis. Today’s readers fail to understand Mrs. Bennet’s dilemma: marry one of them off to a rich man or live in the poor house. The reader should assume that Mr. & Mrs. Collins took possession of the Bennets’ home when Mr. Bennet died, but it didn’t matter. Both older daughters married well, offering safety for the remainder of the family.
“she rated his abilities much higher than any of the others; there was a solidity in his reflections which often struck her, and though by no means so clever as herself she thought that if encouraged to read and improve himself by such an example as her’s, he might become a very agreeable companion. but on the following morning, every hope of this kind was done away.” Mary of Mr Collins. from the novel. definitely wanted him
It is said in chapter 22 of the book that if Mr.Collins was to ask Mary would be prevailed on to accept him(paraphrase). On the side of them being married and loving each other, it is interesting to think that if they got married, the whole story would change.
I’ve discussed this with an Austen fan I know, and she puts it to Mr. Bennet. Being the father, he would have been the perfect person to redirect Collins’ attentions towards Mary (or any one of the other sisters.) However, his love of solitude and quiet and his tendency to laugh at absurdity and distance himself from it lead him to simply steer Mr. Collins away. Mary, being very reserved, would never have the courage to go after him herself, and Mr. Collins, being superficial and wounded after his rejection, would never have looked at any of the other Bennet girls. I believe Mary and William would have been perfect for each other, although I would fear for their children and parishioners.
I thought that was a good idea too , the first time i watched the movie i felt really weird that mary didnt show up herself more… it was inapropriate at that time a girl cannot propose to a guy but i wish she had, in an alternative reality , i would even wish a movie to be made about them