Questions and Main Ideas for Essay

Essay Question: Why is social power important? How do Mr. Collins and Darcy exemplify the divide in social power between men and women in the 1800's?

Characters: Darcy, Mr. Collins, Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bingley

Main Ideas: Social power is important because:

• Women's social status basically rests on the wealth of their family/husband
• In Elizabeth's case, by not marrying Mr. Collins, she was risking her future social status and in essence her social power
• Darcy idealizes his social power because of his wealth, class, and gender.
• Mr. Collins strongly believes that Elizabeth will accept his proposal simply because of his higher social status
• Mrs. Bennet idealizes Jane marrying Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth marrying Mr. Collins, mainly because of the mens' higher social power -> love was not even the deciding factor.