Mrs. Bennet: Parental Discretion Advised

I loved the discussion we had about the parental roles we have seen thus far in Pride and Prejudice, and by the end of class I found it more and more difficult for me to actually see Mrs. Bennet as a mother at all. So, I am going to start out with a question for you guys: Do you think Mrs. Bennet really concerned with her daughters futures or is she only worried about her own future? The reason why I ask this question is because of the way Mrs. Bennet tries to force Lizzie to marry Mr. Collins. At one point Mrs. Bennet despised the man, only transferring her thoughts when he showed interest in marrying one of her daughter's. She then sees Mr. Collins for not only face value (a rather ridiculous man who will one day take her home) but for his money and place in society. She knows Lizzie is nowhere near fond for Mr. Collins and yet she still insists upon her marrying him. Despite it being a rather romantic notion, I cannot imagine a mother of all people wanting their daughter to marry someone that they share absolutely no interest for. Mrs. Bennet has no regard for Lizzie's contentment and she is not concerned about what her daughter’s future will look like in terms of happiness. When surveying potential suitors for her children Mrs. Bennet merely looks at the superficial qualities the men hold. I think she is somewhat fueled by the notion that she must get all of her daughters married out before her husband passes not only for their sakes, but for hers as well. Who is going to care for poor Mama when she no longer has entitlement to her estate? The poor daughter that married for love, or the rich one that married for duty? 

 

                                          ( Mr. Collins to the right *so awkward*)