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GCSE English Literature · key term
Excessively submissive behaviour towards someone powerful, usually to gain approval or favour.
Used by AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas
Paper 1
Revise: Chapters 13 to 23Mr Bennet observes in Chapter 13, “There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter”. Servility means excessive submission to someone powerful; self-importance means an exaggerated belief in one’s own significance. These apparently opposite qualities coexist in Collins.
Paper 2
Excessively submissive behaviour towards someone considered powerful or important.
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Mr Bennet identifies the contradiction in Chapter 13: “There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter which promises well.” Collins submits excessively to someone above him while considering himself highly important. “Promises well” is ironic: Mr Bennet hopes for an entertaining fool, not an admirable visitor.
Paper 1
Excessively submissive behaviour towards someone regarded as powerful or superior.
Revise: Chapters 13 to 23Mr Bennet tells Elizabeth in Chapter 13, “There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter which promises well.” Servility means excessive submission to someone powerful; self-importance means an exaggerated sense of one’s own worth. Collins combines both: he bows to Lady Catherine while expecting others to respect his status.
Component 2
Excessively submissive behaviour towards someone powerful, often intended to gain favour.
Revise: Chapters 13 to 23Mr Bennet identifies the contradiction in Chapter 13: “There is a mixture of servility and self-importance in his letter which promises well.” Servility means excessive submission to someone powerful; self-importance means an inflated sense of one’s own value. Collins can display both because he worships Lady Catherine’s rank while believing that his connection with her makes him important.
