Body paragraph #1 (and #2?)

This is still a work in progress... Originally, I was going to split this into two body paragraphs since I address two characters here - Collins & Charlotte - but they both fall under the category of marriage & courtship, so I thought it would make sense to combine the two. Hopefully this isn't too long... 

Austin defines early 19^th century courtship in England as one of the many ways to abuse love as a means for social promotion to eventually reach the ultimate goal: marriage.  However, Elizabeth understands the authentic meaning of marriage and separates the force of love from the distorting effects of hierarchical society. Throughout Mr. Collins’ proposal, he refuses to accept Elizabeth’s rejection and accuses her of playing the usual game young ladies play: “rejecting the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept,” (76). However, Elizabeth advanced mindset distinguishes the difference between marrying for a social upgrade and marrying for love. She intellectually recognizes her avant-garde perspective of courtship and affirms the type of woman she is with conviction: “I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time… Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation” (77). Her lively wit and sarcastic tone reflects how she never discredits her morals and integrity. She acknowledges the absurdity in woman who will risk their own happiness for a marriage that only promises wealth and social prosperity. Elizabeth preferably abides to a marriage fulfilled by romantic prosperity. Despite Elizabeth possessing a sharp tongue that tends to make judgmental remarks, her honest and clever response to Mr. Collins’ proposal also provides courtesy. Although society regards Elizabeth’s virtue as idealistic and corrupt, she whole-heartedly discovers herself to be a candid, rational young woman, rising above the folly and misdemeanor of society: “I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from the heart” (78). Elizabeth is independent and mature and desires to be looked upon as so. Mr. Collins’ misconception of Elizabeth being a naïve, desperate woman brain-washed by the expectations of society, motivates him even more to regard his proposal as only a business transaction. His self-pride and boastful indiscretion conflict with Elizabeth’s desire to marry for love, unlike her friend Charlotte who chooses to solely marry for convenience. Elizabeth cannot comprehend the concept of Charlotte being happy in a marriage based on security. Elizabeth views herself more prudent than Charlotte, whereas Charlotte accepts that she must take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself in order to refrain from the societal disdain that accompanies old maiden status. Elizabeth’s shock and disappointment in Charlotte reveals how stubborn Elizabeth is to fathom that there may be an opinion different from her own: “She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own, but she could not have supposed it possible that when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage” (90).