Notes on Charlotte Lucas

Charlotte Lucas

Accepts the views on marriage for women of the era

o “When you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” Pg 123

 Privileged – value on being married

o Lizzy cannot believe Charlotte is to be married to Mr Collins

 Binary Opposition

o Surrenders to society and does not persist in her principles
o Also believes that Mr Collins is the best man for her
o “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance…”

Sensible

o Accepts her status and bravely tells Lizzy about her marriage
o She waited for a long time to find the right husband

 She had her own thoughts on what the good husband should be like

o Under great pressure because her family does not have large amounts of money or with good appearance
o Introduced as; “sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven”

 The reader immediately feels sorry for her because we know that she has not married

 27 is considered an old age to be unmarried

o  She knows that she does not have much of a chance of winning the hand of another man and is therefore happy that she is able to get married and not end out as an old maid or spinster.

“I ask only a comfortable home … I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”