How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the subject, I shall hope to receive a more favourable answer than you have now given me. I know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application."
"Really, Mr. Collins," cried Elizabeth, "you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as to convince you of its being one." (90.16-17)
We're not sure where Mr. Collins is getting his intel, but he seems to think women go around all the time rejecting men and then hoping they'll propose again. That's a pretty dangerous game. Ironically, this is exactly what happens with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, so maybe Jane Austen is giving us a little wink here with Mr. Collins' absurdity.
Quote #8
Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her once-flawless figure had been softened by age, but her eyes no were less striking than Elizabeth had oft heard them described. They were the eyes of a woman who once held the wrath of God in her hands. (29.10)
Even Elizabeth has to admit that Lady Catherine is impressive. In a novel filled with women who are completely dependent on the men around them to provide them with money and protection, Lady Catherine is both financially and physically independent. That's why it's kind of a letdown when she turns out to be such a stone-cold jerkface.
Quote #9
The tumult of her mind was now painfully great. She knew not how to support herself, and from the feminine weakness which she had so struggled to exercise from her nature, sat down and cried for half an hour. (34.31)
Elizabeth tries to repress her emotions using her warrior strength, but eventually it's just too much. We're not sure we'd call being female a weakness, as Elizabeth does, but it's clear that all of Elizabeth's training is no match for what she's feeling right now—love.