Austen uses dramatic incidents within the novel to create a sense of tension and to make it more interesting for the reader. Austen tends to use dramatic incidences between two characters (such as Mr. Collins and Elizabeth) and at unexpected points during the story. She also uses dramatic incidents when the situation is slightly predictable, even though they are at unexpected times. Austen uses irony from the narrator and sometimes the characters so we can enjoy the situation.
In chapter nineteen Austen establishes an unexpected d dramatic incident, she introduces Mr. Collin's being proud and smug. He asks Elizabeth to join him in another room; we know that he had previously spoken to Mrs. Bennet about marrying Elizabeth. Mr. Collins is expecting to marry Elizabeth and therefore in this chapter he tells her.
"Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out
as the companion of my future life."
Jane Austen, Watercolour and pencil portrait by he...
English: Back View of Jane Austen, Watercolor
English: Français : Une gravure de 1833 illustran...We know that Mr. Collins is very friendly Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who has told him he must marry, therefore this is his reason for visiting Longbourn. His first choice of wife, Jane was unavailable due to her relations with Mr. Bingley.
During Mr. Collins and Elizabeth's meeting, we hear how Mr. Collins feels that Elizabeth would marry him and be happy about this. Even though Elizabeth kindly rejects this proposal we hear how Mr. Collins thinks she is still willing.
"I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in
your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your
wish of increasing my love by suspense, according to the
usual practise of elegant females."
Elizabeth is increasingly frustrated by this and her reply shows her annoyance at the ignorance of Mr. Collins and his views on young women.
"I do assure you sir that I have no pretensions whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man."
The way in which Mr. Collins expects Elizabeth to accept the proposal is comical. We see how his view of marriage is the opposite of Elizabeth's and therefore note the incompatibility between the two.
There is also a serious side beneath the humour as we see the moral rule of marriage at the time, which was that women were expected to marry for only money at in the period. This was because women didn't have careers or income of any sort and therefore to have a secure life they needed a good marriage. This belief is reinforced by Mrs. Bennet, who expected Elizabeth to accept the proposal. When Elizabeth does refuse we see how her mother is shocked and upset with her.
"Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is it no so, Mrs. Bennet?
'Yes, or I will never see her again.'"
We see that Mrs. Bennet goes over the top and this is another instance of tension in the novel. By this reaction from Mrs. Bennet, we sympathize with Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a very strong character and deals with the Mr. Collins situation in the best way she can, although she detests Mr. Collins she still thinks about his feelings in her replies to him.
Although we do expect Mr. Collins to propose to Lizzy, what we do not expect is for Mr. Collins to ask for Charlottes hand in marriage straight after Lizzy declined. This shows us how Mr. Collins wasn't interested in who he was to have as a wife, he only wanted a wife, then he could impress Lady Catherine and his position would seem better once he is married. It is ironic that he asked Charlotte to marry him straight after to told Lizzy that she was the one for him and wouldn't take no from her as an answer. As this is a dramatic incident, which includes irony from Mr. Collins, we can see how Austen has used no morals for this scene to show how Mr. Collins isn't as sensible as Lizzy or Mr. Bingley. Although Mr. Collins probably didn't love Charlotte we can see how they both got what they wanted in the proposal, as Mr. Collins has a wife, Charlotte has got a secure future.