试论夏洛蒂.卢卡斯与柯林斯婚姻的感性及其理

3.1.4. Independence

Another one is that Charlotte is independent spiritually. She does not care much about her husband’ company and encourages him to take good care of the garden. As she wants to achieve the dignity of a match of good status and material comfort, together with independence, she becomes mistress in her own house; she manipulates Collins by making him think he is doing what he wants.⑸ She can put up with loneliness and is brave to face her life. She controls her own emotion to go against the unfair world. Her viewpoint about marriage “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.” (Chapter 6) reflects that her ideas are always unique and practical, thus she is quite spiritually independent.

In a word, Charlotte does possess some good personal qualities. She is admirable and her choice to Mr. Collins is out of her own heart. She comprehends her life in her own way and is brave enough to get what she wants. Therefore, she should not be criticized and her marriage should be treated as normal as Elizabeth's.
 
3.2. Mr. Collins

According to many critics (e.g. Zhao Linya, 2003; Ye Fulian, 2000) Mr. Collins is just a person without any good qualities. He is snobbish, ridiculous, silly and awkward. But is it true that Collins is just a negative figure in the novel? In fact, Mr. Collins also possesses some good personalities. He is humorous, responsible, kind and practical.

3.2.1. Humor

Mr. Collins is an obviously humorous character. This can be seen from his letter (chapter 13). In the letter, he hints at some undisclosed scheme of reparation for the entail. In due course we find that this is, in fact, his intended marriage to one of the Bennet girls, which he represents as a favor to them. We are at once suspicious of a clergyman who advertises his piety “As a clergyman...I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace on all families within the reach of my influence."(Chapter 13) This is undermined by readers’ observing that the statement of Christian duty comes after his statement of duty to his patron. So devoted to his duty is Collins that he leaves his living for long periods as when he is looking for a wife. He later advises Mr. Bennet to forgive Lydia and Wickham “as a Christian, but never to admit them in your sight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing"(Chapter 13). One wonders in what, other than mere empty words, the forgiveness can consist. From Collins’s words, we know that he is such a humorous person.

3.2.2. Responsibility

In contrast to Wickham, a shameless person, Mr. Collins is sincere and responsible. Wickham nearly ruined Miss Darcy and finally eloped with Lydia. Unlike Wickham, Mr. Collins proposed to Elizabeth bravely, though failed at last, his marriage went according to the social convention. Also he asked for Charlotte's hand through a formal way. He is responsible for Charlotte and his work as a clergyman.
 
3.2.3. Kindness

Mr. Collins is very kind that he forms a link between Longbourn and Rosings, as he brings Elizabeth to Rosings, thus preparing for Darcy’s proposal, tells tales to Lady Catherine to Longbourn which, in turn, gives Elizabeth hope. To some extent, we should express our gratitude to Mr. Collins. If he had not brought Lady Catherine to Longbourn, Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage might not do. Another fact is that as Elizabeth's relative, he kindly invited Elizabeth to visit his house and took good care of her. He is very kind.
 
3.2.4. Practical sense

Mr. Collins is very practical. He knows that Lady Catherine will help him a lot in his life so he tries his best to set up a good relationship with Lady Catherine. He knows that he needs a wife to fulfill his life so he immediately proposes to Charlotte when he failed in proposing to Elizabeth.

In a word, though Mr. Collins is a little bit snobbish, silly and awkward, he is humorous, responsible, kind and practical. He possesses some good personal qualities and is not completely incurable. As in chapter 22, we know that Elizabeth pays much attention to Mr. Collins’s ability. His firm belief in mind is admirable. Even he is not very clever, if a cleverer person guides him, if someone encourages him, he will improve himself greatly. Charlotte is as clever as Elizabeth, under her guide; Mr. Collins is possible to become a real gentleman. We have reasons to believe in Charlotte as she has successfully turned Collins’s attention from Elizabeth to herself. Charlotte is a very practical person and she is capable of adjusting herself to the changing things. With her help, Mr. Collins will improve himself a lot.

All in all, Charlotte and Mr. Collins have some good personal qualities and they have their own personal charm. We should not deny them completely and view them with a stable eye. Their personal charm should be recognized and their own choice of marriage is really very rational and realistic.转贴于 酷文网-论文下载中心 http://www.coolwen.net