Suze,
Re your comment below:
> And yet, one thing that can't be forgotten is that
> Collins is not very intelligent, and Mr. Bennet
> has no patience for stupidity. I rather fear that
> the well-meaning young William would end up
> earning his cousins' contempt, and being treated
> very much as Mrs. Bennet is treated.
Yeah but how much of his stupidity is "nurture" and how much is "nature."
Raised by a father who was, if not literally illiterate, at least not well-read, he might not have been encouraged to develop his intelligence. At the very least he might, as Mary thinks, develop better if guided better. And, as the heir presumptive and a de facto if not de jure adopted son, Mr. Bennet might be disposed to guide him, if not personally tutor him.
That being the case, all the girls might benefit, and Mrs. Bennet, with no reason to be fearful of her future, might not devolve into a wife whose husband's main amusement is vexing her.
JIM D.
Re your comment below:
> And yet, one thing that can't be forgotten is that
> Collins is not very intelligent, and Mr. Bennet
> has no patience for stupidity. I rather fear that
> the well-meaning young William would end up
> earning his cousins' contempt, and being treated
> very much as Mrs. Bennet is treated.
Yeah but how much of his stupidity is "nurture" and how much is "nature."
Raised by a father who was, if not literally illiterate, at least not well-read, he might not have been encouraged to develop his intelligence. At the very least he might, as Mary thinks, develop better if guided better. And, as the heir presumptive and a de facto if not de jure adopted son, Mr. Bennet might be disposed to guide him, if not personally tutor him.
That being the case, all the girls might benefit, and Mrs. Bennet, with no reason to be fearful of her future, might not devolve into a wife whose husband's main amusement is vexing her.
JIM D.