1st body paragraph

In Pride and Prejudice, Austen effectively exploits Mr. Collins to portray how men of higher classes belittle women and anybody of lesser rank. When Collins proposes to Elizabeth, she says no but he incessantly asks and won't take no for an answer. However, the reason for his persistence is not due to his stubbornness but rather his hubris and belittlement for true love and marriage. He believes that any girl would love to marry him because of his great economic conditions and the benefits a woman would get after marrying him. However, he unknowingly conveys how women have no say in a marriage and anybody of lesser rank is viewed disrespectfully. These beliefs are why Elizabeth's rejection is frowned upon because women usually don't get asked a second time and if a man of higher rank asks for her hand in marriage, she would, without question, say yes. Back in this time, marriage was not based off love but rather what was beneficial to one's self. But unlike most women, Elizabeth bravely said no because her values of marriage were more sincere as she believed in true love. And even though Elizabeth was right in saying no to Mr. Collins, his proposal was considered genuine to other people, for reasons which doesn't make sense in this age, where marriage is now based off love, not benefits.