Pride and Prejudice · Character

Mr. Collins

A self-important clergyman armed with flattery and a good living, he arrives at Longbourn to inspect his future inheritance and select a wife from among its daughters.

supporting

Also known as XV Mr. Collins, XX Mr. Collins

First appearance: Chapter XIII

As a supporting figure in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The pompous and formal cousin who visits Longbourn, apologizing for the entailment and praising the family.

In the storyChapter XIIIOpen this moment free

See Mr. Collins in Chapter XIII Book page

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As the entail's heir, Mr. Collins holds the power to turn the Bennet women out of their home, and he arrives eager to make amends by marrying one of them. His obsequious reverence for Lady Catherine and his bottomless self-regard make him comic, but his proposal to Elizabeth—and his instant pivot to Charlotte Lucas—exposes how marriage could be a transaction rather than a union. He matters because his suit forces Elizabeth to define what she will and will not accept.

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See Mr. Collins in Chapter XIII

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Mr. Collins sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Major Characters and Key Allies
Minor Characters and Background Figures
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, Elizabeth reaches the emotional peak of her internal conflict as she transitions from agitation…

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Relationships

Elizabeth Bennet
social · negative
Elizabeth politely rejects Mr. How this plays out →
Mrs. Bennet
social · ambivalent
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
professional · positive
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
professional · positive
Mrs. Bennet
social · ambivalent
Elizabeth Bennet
social · negative
Elizabeth politely rejects Mr. How this plays out →
Elizabeth Bennet
social · negative
Elizabeth politely rejects Mr. How this plays out →
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
professional · positive
Mrs. Bennet
social · ambivalent

Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth politely rejects Mr. Collins's absurd marriage proposal, finding him pompous and obsequious.
Mrs. Bennet
Mr. Collins is a sycophantic relative who seeks Mrs. Bennet's approval while planning to inherit Longbourn.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr. Collins is Lady Catherine's obsequious, fawning clergyman, constantly praising her patronage.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr. Collins is Lady Catherine's obsequious, fawning clergyman, constantly praising her patronage.
Mrs. Bennet
Mr. Collins is a sycophantic relative who seeks Mrs. Bennet's approval while planning to inherit Longbourn.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth politely rejects Mr. Collins's absurd marriage proposal, finding him pompous and obsequious.
Elizabeth Bennet
Elizabeth politely rejects Mr. Collins's absurd marriage proposal, finding him pompous and obsequious.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Mr. Collins is Lady Catherine's obsequious, fawning clergyman, constantly praising her patronage.
Mrs. Bennet
Mr. Collins is a sycophantic relative who seeks Mrs. Bennet's approval while planning to inherit Longbourn.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Collins in Chapter XIII

In the story

Mr. Collins appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XIII
The pompous and formal cousin who visits Longbourn, apologizing for the entailment and praising the family.
Chapter XIV
Praises Lady Catherine de Bourgh at length, displays flattery and solemnity, and later attempts to read Fordyce's Sermons before being interrupted.
Chapter XV
Visits Longbourn with the intention of marrying a Bennet daughter; shifts his choice from Jane to Elizabeth after Mrs. Bennet's hint.
Chapter XVI
Joins the party after whist, boasts of his connection to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and provides information that links the de Bourgh and Darcy families.
Chapter XVII
Accepts the invitation to the ball without scruple; solicits Elizabeth for the first two dances, hinting at matrimonial intentions.
Chapter XVIII
Insists on introducing himself to Mr. Darcy as a relative of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, despite Elizabeth's objections.
Chapter XIX
Makes a formal, condescending proposal to Elizabeth, citing duty, Lady Catherine's advice, and the Bennet family's financial situation.
Chapter XX
Proposes to Elizabeth, is refused, and later rationalizes the rejection, withdrawing his suit.
Chapter XXI
Remains at Longbourn in a state of angry pride after Elizabeth's rejection, transferring his attentions to Miss Lucas.
Chapter XXII
Mr. Collins quickly transfers his affections to Charlotte after Elizabeth's refusal, proposing successfully and eagerly planning their marriage.
Chapter XXVIII
Proudly shows off his home and garden, repeatedly praises Lady Catherine, and invites Elizabeth and Maria to dine at Rosings.
Chapter XXIX
Triumphant over the invitation, he eagerly instructs the party on proper behavior and praises Lady Catherine excessively throughout the visit.
Elizabeth's Visit to Hunsford
Devoted to Lady Catherine; spends mornings driving Sir William and later working in his book room.
Chapter XXXVII
Reports the gentlemen's departure and hastens to console Lady Catherine.
Chapter XXXVIII
Delivers parting civilities and boasts of his connection to Rosings and his marriage.
Chapter LVII
Writes a letter to Mr. Bennet, congratulating on Jane's wedding and warning against Elizabeth's rumored engagement to Darcy.
Chapter LX
Arrives at Lucas Lodge with Charlotte to escape Lady Catherine's anger, and obsequiously compliments Darcy.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Collins unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Collins in Chapter XIII