In Pride and Prejudice, Austen's depiction of the characters of Mrs Bennet and Mr Collins are her most obvious tools in satirizing human behaviour. These characters are both portrayed as one-dimensional and extremely self-centered, however, due to Austen's skill at character observation, both come across as believable characters.
Mr Collins is perhaps the most stereotypical and satirical character in the novel, and is used by Austen to embody the shallowness and hypocrisy of her society. Austen brings out Mr Collins" character primarily by letters and dialogue, which show his idiocy in contrast to those he converses with, such as Mr Bennet. In this instance, Mr Bennet mocks Mr Collins, but Mr Collins is too self-important to realize:.
You judge very properly," said Mr Bennet, "and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?".
"They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible." .
Mr Bennet, presented as a realistic character similar to Elizabeth, is often used by Jane Austen to satirize others with his dry wit. His targets are many and varied, but are most substantially Mr Collins and Mrs Bennet, the two most exaggerated characters. Mr Bennet gets pleasure from constantly taunting Mrs Bennet, in such circumstances as: .
"Is he married or single?".
"Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!".
"How so? How can it affect them?".
"My dear Mr Bennet," replied his wife, "How can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.".
"Is that his design in settling here?" .
