And Now: Religion

Society has always regarded religion with a special care. Especially in highly stratified societies religious officers had a rank of power and respect. In the western world, the Catholic Church had the greatest power, at least, during the books time period. The Anglican and Catholic Churches both fulfilled a similar role in their societies. Mr. Collins represents the Anglican Church in this story and its abuse of a power it does not even own. Especially the Anglican Church as the characters put it has a “mixture of servility and self-importance” (48). Although the book focuses around the relationships between the characters, it also satirizes the society shown.

Several factors lead me to believe he satirizes the church or, at least, its clergymen. The Anglican Church depended completely on the King who also lead it. Mr. Collins depends on the Lady Catherine who is a noblewoman. His attitude of “self-importance” could reference the policies of the church at the time. Also, the clergyman’s willingness to accept the Bennett’s house could represent the corruption of the church. After all, the government does manipulate it. Straying away from this social critique, the character’s reactions to the arrival of Mr. Collins and his letter must be discussed.

Nobody mentioned when the family received the letter that the future of the daughters and Mrs. Bennet depended on this clergyman. Evidently, Mr. Collins’s tone seemed conciliatory in the letter and his attitude was not threatening. Still, the family in general remains calm considering the situation. We could assume they will not act impulsively because of social conventions instilled in them. Even when he praised the whole house as a prospecting buyer would, only the mother shows worry here: “… would have touched Mrs. Bennet’s heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property.” (49) The daughters will probably find a husband and the father will enjoy his property to the last day. Indeed, this situation would only leave the mother vulnerable. I interpret this as a demonstration of the selfishness of that society. Even families will only continue to help each other when mutual benefits exist. We could also see that as a lack of foresight from the daughter’s part. In this case, the father simply restrains his emotions like he did with the arrival or Mr. Bingley. One final interpretation could view the family as subdued to that social stratification. Since the Clergyman comes from a higher status, the family agrees he has the right to do as he wishes. Only the mother, who suffers the loss directly, worries.

Either way, Austen uses the Clergyman to satirize some aspect of society. The Anglican Church’s role in society, the selfishness of the people at the time or the lack of foresight of future generations all combine in to the arrival of Mr. Collins.