Once Again, Satire

Two more characters Mr.Collins and Wickham. These two bring a different air in Austen’s novel. The former is completely different with the other characters, and the latter is wicked, just as the name implies. Let’s do them one by one. Mr. Collins juxtaposes every single aspect of Austen’s technique so far. By speaking in long and irrational speeches, the character makes him a target of parody, or satire, in other words. For example, upon the appearance of Mr. Collins, the narrator describes him closely, with the use of much descriptive language: “He was a tall, heavy looking young man of five and twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manner were very formal” (Austen 48). This, hence, contrasts with Austen’s modus operandi of describing the characters through dialogue. Maybe by describing him this way might open the doors to heavier, and more comical, satire.

Besides parodying law (which forces Mr.Bennet to leave all his property to this man instead of his daughters), Austen illustrates Mr.Collins in such way in order to augment her satire upon snobbery. Even though he is not snobbish by nature, like Miss Bingley, he is snobbish due to his labor. He is a man who portrays classism, and in the long run, adopts an image of absurdity, as he strongly believes in his importance due to his patroness is from the nobility. As a result, the reader can only connect Mr.Collins with absurdity, and agree with Mr. Bennet that “his cousin was as absurd” as he had hoped.

On the other hand, the absurdity portrayed by Mr.Collins juxtaposes Wickham’s seemingly charming personality. Austen’s tone employed in his description completely contrasts with the one employed in Mr.Collins’ description: “His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address” (Austen 54). His superficial appeal might indicate that his inner personality is quite mysterious. And even if he is able to charm Elizabeth, he causes certain distrust in Darcy. With the appearance of Wickham, the novel enhances the main terms implied by the title: pride and prejudice. On one side, we have Darcy, whose pride is evident. And on the other side, we have Elizabeth, whose blind trust in Wickham’s stories shows her prejudice in the novel. This juxtaposition between the effects of the characters in the novels, will, little by little, illustrate the meaning of the superficially simple title: Pride and Prejudice.