Will the Real Mr. Collins Please Stand Up?
The other day I was reading, for reasons which need not detain us here, Wordsworth's famous "Preface to *Lyrical Ballads*", in which he lays out his theory of poetry. This Preface was added to the book (of poems by him and Coleridge) in the second edition, published in 1801.
I suddenly underwent the startling realization that I recognized this "voice" in which Wordsworth was propounding his ideas -- a voice familiar to us all, yet I cannot find that anyone else has ever made this important connection before. This was shortly to lead to an even more astounding revelation about possibly the greatest hoax in literary history! Observe a few selected lines:
William Wordsworth:
I will not suffer a sense of false modesty to prevent me from asserting, that I point my Reader's attention to this mark of distinction, far less for the sake of these particular Poems than from the general importance of the subject.
***
Having dwelt thus long on the subjects and aim of these Poems, I shall request the Reader's permission to apprize him of a few circumstances relating to their style, in order, among other reasons, that I may not be censured (etc.)
***
I have wished to keep my Reader in the company of flesh and blood, persuaded that by so doing I shall interest him. I am, however, well aware that others who pursue a different track may interest him likewise...
***
I have at all times endeavoured to look steadily at my subject, consequently, I hope that there is in these Poems little falsehood of description, and that my ideas are expressed in language fitted to their respective importance. Something I must have gained by this practice, as it is friendly to one property of all good poetry, namely, good sense...
***
[I]t will be the wish of the Poet to bring his feelings near to those of the persons whose feelings he describes... modifying only the language which is thus suggested to him, by a consideration that he describes for a particular purpose, that of giving pleasure. Here, then, he will apply the principle on which I have so much insisted, namely, that of selection; on this he will depend for removing what would otherwise be painful or disgusting in the passion...
***
It will now be proper to answer an obvious question, namely, why, professing these opinions, have I written in verse? To this, in addition to such answer as is included in what I have already said, I reply in the first place, because, however I may have restricted myself, there is still left open to me what confessedly constitutes the most valuable object of all writing whether in prose or verse, the great and universal passions of men... [W]hy am I to be condemned, if to such description I have endeavoured to superadd the charm which, by the consent of all nations, is acknowledged to exist in metrical language?
_________
From these examples I can hardly imagine that every reader has not already leaped to the obvious conclusion, that Wordsworth is in fact -- Mr. Collins! Yes, the inimitable Mr. Collins from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Let us compare a few of Mr. Collins's speeches:
Mr Collins:
I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable... I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends.
***
My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly -- which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. ...Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony... And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection.
***
You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your refusal of my addresses is merely words of course. My reasons for believing it are briefly these: -- It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in its favor...
***
You are uniformly charming!
***
Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty of us all; the peculiar duty of a young man who has been so fortunate as I have been in early preferment; and I trust I am resigned. Perhaps not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness had my fair cousin honoured me with her hand; for I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation.
***
...happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters.
___________
I trust I have carried my point here, and if any proof were wanting, it only remains to add, that Mr. Collins's first name is... William!
One might argue that imitation could not have been possible, because the "Preface" was not published till 1801, several years after "Pride and Prejudice" was written (allegedly). However, "Pride and Prejudice" was not *published* until 1813, and tradition holds that it was rewritten before publication. Besides, Austen could easily have read other examples of Wordsworth's prose. So much for a chronological difficulty.
But is this all? Granting that Wordsworth is indisputably the model for Mr. Collins, we must then ask, how was a person of Jane Austen's limited education and provincial upbringing able to so closely imitate the renowned poet and essayist? Furthermore, this invites us to look with new eyes at *all* of Austen's texts. Is it likely, is it even *conceivable*, that this young girl (as she was when she allegedly wrote "Pride and Prejudice") of little learning could have produced novels of such enduring power, subtlety and grace? And we may then look again at the telltale similarities between a part of her text and the writing of a great master, and ask ourselves: is it possible that "Jane Austen's" novels were actually written by none other than -- William Wordsworth? And that the character of Mr. Collins is one of numerous clues he left in the text to be discovered by future, more acute generations of readers than those of his own time?
Recently John Lauritsen has indisputably proved using similar investigative techniques that "Frankenstein" was written not by Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Shelley), but by her lover, Percy Bysshe Shelley. The one question readers may still ask is, "Why?" Why did Shelley write the book only to deny it?
For the same reason Wordsworth denied authorship of "Jane Austen's" novels: and Wordsworth left a long disquisition on his reasons in the form of "her" first book, "Northanger Abbey". At that period, novels were looked down upon compared to poetry. And though Wordsworth might not have shared such a view of the form, he chose not to stand out against it, and taint the reputation of his poems, by having it known that he was a popular novelist. Indeed, when he began to receive government posts and honors for his poetry, he 'killed off' his Austen persona; though he could not resist publishing one or two 'posthumous' books afterward.
I suddenly underwent the startling realization that I recognized this "voice" in which Wordsworth was propounding his ideas -- a voice familiar to us all, yet I cannot find that anyone else has ever made this important connection before. This was shortly to lead to an even more astounding revelation about possibly the greatest hoax in literary history! Observe a few selected lines:
William Wordsworth:
I will not suffer a sense of false modesty to prevent me from asserting, that I point my Reader's attention to this mark of distinction, far less for the sake of these particular Poems than from the general importance of the subject.
***
Having dwelt thus long on the subjects and aim of these Poems, I shall request the Reader's permission to apprize him of a few circumstances relating to their style, in order, among other reasons, that I may not be censured (etc.)
***
I have wished to keep my Reader in the company of flesh and blood, persuaded that by so doing I shall interest him. I am, however, well aware that others who pursue a different track may interest him likewise...
***
I have at all times endeavoured to look steadily at my subject, consequently, I hope that there is in these Poems little falsehood of description, and that my ideas are expressed in language fitted to their respective importance. Something I must have gained by this practice, as it is friendly to one property of all good poetry, namely, good sense...
***
[I]t will be the wish of the Poet to bring his feelings near to those of the persons whose feelings he describes... modifying only the language which is thus suggested to him, by a consideration that he describes for a particular purpose, that of giving pleasure. Here, then, he will apply the principle on which I have so much insisted, namely, that of selection; on this he will depend for removing what would otherwise be painful or disgusting in the passion...
***
It will now be proper to answer an obvious question, namely, why, professing these opinions, have I written in verse? To this, in addition to such answer as is included in what I have already said, I reply in the first place, because, however I may have restricted myself, there is still left open to me what confessedly constitutes the most valuable object of all writing whether in prose or verse, the great and universal passions of men... [W]hy am I to be condemned, if to such description I have endeavoured to superadd the charm which, by the consent of all nations, is acknowledged to exist in metrical language?
_________
From these examples I can hardly imagine that every reader has not already leaped to the obvious conclusion, that Wordsworth is in fact -- Mr. Collins! Yes, the inimitable Mr. Collins from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". Let us compare a few of Mr. Collins's speeches:
Mr Collins:
I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable... I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends.
***
My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly -- which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. ...Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony... And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection.
***
You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your refusal of my addresses is merely words of course. My reasons for believing it are briefly these: -- It does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in its favor...
***
You are uniformly charming!
***
Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty of us all; the peculiar duty of a young man who has been so fortunate as I have been in early preferment; and I trust I am resigned. Perhaps not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness had my fair cousin honoured me with her hand; for I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation.
***
...happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters.
___________
I trust I have carried my point here, and if any proof were wanting, it only remains to add, that Mr. Collins's first name is... William!
One might argue that imitation could not have been possible, because the "Preface" was not published till 1801, several years after "Pride and Prejudice" was written (allegedly). However, "Pride and Prejudice" was not *published* until 1813, and tradition holds that it was rewritten before publication. Besides, Austen could easily have read other examples of Wordsworth's prose. So much for a chronological difficulty.
But is this all? Granting that Wordsworth is indisputably the model for Mr. Collins, we must then ask, how was a person of Jane Austen's limited education and provincial upbringing able to so closely imitate the renowned poet and essayist? Furthermore, this invites us to look with new eyes at *all* of Austen's texts. Is it likely, is it even *conceivable*, that this young girl (as she was when she allegedly wrote "Pride and Prejudice") of little learning could have produced novels of such enduring power, subtlety and grace? And we may then look again at the telltale similarities between a part of her text and the writing of a great master, and ask ourselves: is it possible that "Jane Austen's" novels were actually written by none other than -- William Wordsworth? And that the character of Mr. Collins is one of numerous clues he left in the text to be discovered by future, more acute generations of readers than those of his own time?
Recently John Lauritsen has indisputably proved using similar investigative techniques that "Frankenstein" was written not by Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (later Shelley), but by her lover, Percy Bysshe Shelley. The one question readers may still ask is, "Why?" Why did Shelley write the book only to deny it?
For the same reason Wordsworth denied authorship of "Jane Austen's" novels: and Wordsworth left a long disquisition on his reasons in the form of "her" first book, "Northanger Abbey". At that period, novels were looked down upon compared to poetry. And though Wordsworth might not have shared such a view of the form, he chose not to stand out against it, and taint the reputation of his poems, by having it known that he was a popular novelist. Indeed, when he began to receive government posts and honors for his poetry, he 'killed off' his Austen persona; though he could not resist publishing one or two 'posthumous' books afterward.