Collins only cared for women that were submissive and compliant to the higher power.
Since men set many expectations, women started to learn what they needed at a very young age. Their entire childhood is dedicated to becoming the perfect candidate for a bachelor's choosing. Mr. Darcy, literature's archetypal knight in shining armor, names only some of these expectations men had, ".no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern language, to deserve the word; and beside all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved." (Austen 29). In this passage, Mr. Darcy wanted something that is rarely seen, a perfect and totally submissive woman, to be his wife. If a woman did not have all of the skills, money, high social class, education, or beauty, men would not give them a second glance. Furthermore, Mr. Darcy believes that even after being married, a woman still must "[improve] her mind by extensive reading" (Austen 29). The government, money, and women were all under the control of men during the 19th century. With their power, men created the rules and requirements for the wealthier class; thus, women could not buy property, have jobs, marry whomever they choose, etcetera. Even when meeting new people, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters could not go without Mr. Bennet, as Mrs. Bennet explains, "It will be no use to us; if twenty [people] should come, since you will not visit them." (Austen 4). Even something as simply as making friends, women needed men; along with meeting new people, women also need men for a home, family, money, and security. Although the Bennet women have the same last name as the owner of their estate, it is given to a distant male cousin.
