You might want to consider the use of irony in this
hilarious chapter, which features the infamous proposal of Mr. Collins to Elizabeth.
Austen is an authoress known for her biting use of irony, and this excerpt is no
exception, especially when Austen has Mr. Collins protesting his love to Lizzie in a way
that is in such contrast to his character, and indeed the complete absence of real love
that he feels towards Lizzie. Note the following
example:
And
now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the
violence of my affection.
The
words "animated" and "violence" are adjectives that we would never normally assoicate
with the sober and ridiculous Mr. Collins, and please note the way that this phrase is
sandwiched by his cold, calculating and analytical reasons for marrying her because of
the way that Longbourne is entailed away from the female line and Elizabeth's poor
economical situation. To express the "violence" of his feelings in between such cruel
and thoughtless reminders of the harsh economic situation that Lizzie finds herself in
both is ironic because it is no way in which to propose marriage and also paints Mr.
Collins to be even more absurd than he was before, as "affection" has nothing to do with
his choice. You might like to examine the rest of this chapter to analyse the role of
irony as a technique.
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