A Successful Proposal

Successful proposals must utilize both rational argument and heartfelt sentiment. Proposals are made by Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," and Mr. Headstone in Charles Dickens' "Our Mutual Friend." While Mr. Collins constructs his proposal from a objective standpoint, Mr. Headstone pours his sentiments into his. Delivering a proposal centering on self gain and lacking in emotion, Mr. Collins will likely be rejected whereas Mr. Headstone has a better chance at evoking reciprocating feelings.

Motives for marrying are a large factor to the success of a proposal. Acting on selfish desire, Mr. Collins is "convinced [marrying] will add very greatly to [his] happiness." Focusing on the benefits the marriage will bring to him, Mr. Collins neglects to address how the marriage will advantage the woman he is proposing to. His self-serving reasons demonstrate his failure to comprehend that marriage requires compromise, with neither party gaining more than the other. This failure to understand ultimately shatters his chances to propose and receive a favorable answer. Unlike Mr. Collins, Mr. Headstone's main motivation to marry is that he is "under the influence of some tremendous attraction," allowing her to "draw [him] to any exposure and disgrace" and equally "to any good." Mr. Headstone uses "exposure," "disgrace," and "any good" to demonstrate the extraordinary influence the woman has on him. He also says "[his] reputation stands quite high, and would be a shield for [hers]." Mr. Headstone's main motive to marry is to provide for the woman rather than for himself and therefore she is likely to agree to his proposal. Using "shield," he establishes another motive as his desire to protect the woman he is proposing to. Mr. Headstone's selflessness, coupled with his vigorous determination, is indispensable to his proposal. With these two elements, he is likely to be married. Taking into consideration their motives for marrying, it is more likely that Mr. Headstone will elicit his desired response due to his selfless desires to provide and protect while Mr. Collins will fail as a result of his self-serving reasons.

The varying use of emotion in the proposals by Mr. Collins and Mr. Headstone is a determining factor in their effectiveness. Mr. Collins opens his proposal with listed reasons "first... secondly... thirdly." Attempting to persuade with misconstrued logic rather than his feelings, Mr. Collins proposal is ineffective. Even more ineffective is his focus on another woman "Miss de Bourgh." Stating that "she condescended to give me her opinion," Mr. Collins reveals that he regards Miss de Bourgh as superior to him. Devoting most of his proposal to praising Miss de Bourgh, Mr. Collins expresses his lack of feelings for the woman he is proposing to which contributes greatly to the ineffectuality of his proposal. However, Mr. Headstone employs emotion in his proposal. Voicing his affections at the start, Mr. Headstone simply states "I love you." Necessary to any marriage, emotions and love specifically is the key to determining the success of a proposal. Along with his feelings of love, Mr. Headstone also declares that he is "earnest, dreadful earnest." Having honesty and love rather than a mechanical declaration of reasons, Mr. Headstone's proposal has a greater chance to evoke reciprocal feelings.

Though both are proposing marriage, Mr. Collins does so for his own selfish gain and Mr. Headstone for the woman's sake. As such, Mr. Collins will more likely be rejected than Mr. Headstone. Though not the only two factors that are necessary, the right motives and the presence of emotion are great indicators to the success of a proposal.

Sources: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen and "Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens