As social creatures, the inherent desire to establish social norms guide human behaviors— sometimes at the expense of individual, self-motivated sincerity. The issue was even prevalent in the 19th century high society, resulting in Jane Austen critiquing such behaviors through a pastor, Mr. Collin, and his relationship with his patroness, Lady Catherine in “Pride and Prejudice”. Jane Austen reveals the tedious superficiality of 19th century high society through Mr. Collin’s performative compliments to Lady Catherine and his lack of self awareness. Mr. Collin’s performative compliments to Lady Catherine prevents him from being genuine to himself and those he interacts with. While speaking to his distant relative, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Collins laments the poor state of Lady Catherine’s daughter, as “Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament” (Austen). Mr. Collin’s diction is highly deferential to Lady Catherine, using laudatory words such as “brightest ornament”. However, his laudatory words juxtapose his self-centered syntax. Instead of simply saying that the daughter was the “brightest ornament” of the British county, he unnecessarily inserts himself by saying “as I told Lady Catherine one day”. His self-centered character is expanded on when he explains his motivations: “I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies…These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to pay” (Austen). The periodic sentence begins with Mr. Collin’s compliments towards Lady Catherine and ends with praise towards himself, ultimately revealing his true intentions and final goal. Mr. Collins is more interested in using Lady Catherine as a medium for complementing his own generosity. Mr. Collins’s superficiality is made even more evident in his perception of himself. When Mr. Bennet asks Mr. Collins if his compliments are spontaneous or if they are premeditated, Mr. Collins tells his cousin that his words “arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible” (Austen). The use of a contrasting transition word, “though”, makes Mr. Collin’s answer more complicated than necessary, especially when Mr. Bennett’s question is relatively straightforward. The complexity of his answer contrasts against what he attempts to portray himself to be: “Unstudied”, “passing at the time”, and “ordinary”. Mr. Collin’s tedious use of unnecessary contrasting transition words continues to be prolonged with his description of Lady Catherine’s beloved daughter: “She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her from making that progress in many accomplishments which she could not have otherwise failed of, as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies” (Austen). Again, he was asked a relatively simple question, and in return, he gave an unnecessarily complicated answer, with contrasting transition words such as “unfortunately”, “otherwise”, and “but”. Mr. Collins’s diction juxtaposes how he presents himself as a “humble” and “simple” man, as he has a lot to say— almost as though he likes hearing himself speak. Even now, our society is guilty of replacing social etiquette with genuine kindness. The frivolity, originally meant to prevent conflict and demonstrate mutual respect, only robs its people of relationships motivated by sincerity.