Pride and Prejudice Quotes from Novel to Film (Chapter 15)

Continuing from my previous posts (Chapters 1-14) and moving right on to Chapter 15, which was still a continuation of Mr. Collins dinner with the Bennets' at the Bennet family home in Longbourn. At this time, it was after dinner where Mr. Collins was talking to Mrs. Bennet about his desire in seeking a mistress and her eldest daughter Jane has captured his special attention. This was from the movie, of course. In the novel, it was the following day (not after dinner) during breakfast where Collins approached Mrs. B about his interest in the eldest Miss (Jane) Bennet.


Pride and Prejudice

Novel

  
His plan did not vary on seeing them. -- Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for the first evening she was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration; for in a quarter of an hour's tête-à-tête with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes that a mistress for it might be found at Longbourn, produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. -- ``As to her younger daughters she could not take upon her to say -- she could not positively answer -- but she did not know of any prepossession; -- her eldest daughter, she must just mention -- she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged.''

Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth -- and it was soon done -- done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeeded her of course.

Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of the day before was now high in her good graces.


Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Movie Script

"Mrs. Bennet, you do know that I've been bestowed by the good grace of Lady Catherine De Bourgh a parsonage of no mean size." (Mr. Collins)

"I have become aware of the fact." (Mrs. Bennet)

"Well, it is my avowed hope that soon I may find a mistress for it and I have to inform you that the eldest Miss Bennet has captured my special attention." (Mr. Collins)

"Oh, Mr. Collins, unfortunately, it is incumbent upon me to hint that the eldest Miss Bennet is very soon to be engaged." (Mrs. Bennet)

"Engaged?" (Mr. Collins)

"But Miss Lizzie, next to her in both age and beauty, would make anyone an excellent partner. Do not you agree, Mr. Collins?" (Mrs. Bennet)

"Indeed. Very agreeable alternative." (Mr. Collins)