DW Harding Assignment: Is Collins a Nightmare or a Comic

While Mr. Collins' proposal is initially made out to be a "comic effect", later implications of his proposal based around Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet arise. Harding discusses how Austen intends for Mr. Collins' proposal to be a "comic effect" and then also addresses in his argument that "[Mr. Collins] is real enough to Mrs. Bennet; and she is real enough to Elizabeth to create a situation of real miser for her when she refuses." I would agree that while Mr. Collins' proposal may be one of Austen's mockeries of society, it is clearly made out to be a danger for Elizabeth. Herein, lies the Collins' role as a Nightmare, specifically, to Elizabeth. Not only does Collins' proposal create problems for Elizabeth but it also evokes a clash between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet who fight over how Elizabeth should deal with Mr. Collins' proposal. Although initially Mr. Collins and his proposal can be classified as a comic effect, his most significant role as a character in the novel is the "Nightmare" he creates for Elizabeth.