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While Austen uses fiction to mock certain aspects of society, the characters themselves serve as models of those who she is criticizing; therefore, the characters thoughts and actions, while fictional, are just as important as what Austen is truly saying. Mr. Collins is a conceited male, overly proud of his work as a clergyman. He desires a wife, essentially to prove to himself and others of his social class. “I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish” (Austen 76). If Mr. Collins was in a truly high class, he would not have to use the words “like myself”. Additionally, Mr. Collins displays further arrogance because he considers himself as the perfect example of a 19th century clergyman. Mr. Collins also attempts to please the Bennets, because he knows that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet would rather give their property to one of their children who has grown up with the house. One reason he ultimately marries Charlotte Lucas is because the Bennet’s house is in the same town as her own. While Collins appears arrogant at times, his proposals were partially in good humor because of the financial benefit to choices who were all in lower classes than him.