"He must be an oddity, I think," said [Elizabeth], "I cannot make him out. There is something very pompous in his style. -- And what can he mean by apologizing for being next in the entail? -- We cannot suppose he would help it if he could. -- Can he be a sensible man, sir?"

"No, my dear; I think not. I have great hopes of finding him quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter, which promises well. I am impatient to see him."

The reactions of the Bennet family to Mr. Collins’ letter, are echoed in how they view the man himself.

Elizabeth and her father are amused by Mr. Collins writing and by the man. Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure. Chap. 14

Mrs. Bennet only cares about the part of “making amends” to her daughters. for in a quarter-of-an-hour's tête-à-tête with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress for it might be found at Longbourn, produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general encouragement Chap 15

Kitty & Lydia have little interest in the letter or in him.

Mary finds it an acceptable letter, perhaps because it the type of letter she would send herself. "In point of composition," said Mary, "his letter does not seem defective. The idea of the olive branch perhaps is not wholly new, yet I think it is well expressed."Chap 13

Jane of course, can see the good in him, "what way he can mean to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is certainly to his credit."Chap 13