How Does Jane Austen/the Narrator Feel About Charlotte Lucas?

Two women are given the option to mary Mr. William Collins, one staunchly refuses, the other agrees. In a novel that’s thesis could probably be summed up as “Where does discretion end, and avarice begin?”, how does the narrator want us to feel about Charlotte Lucas?

Charlotte tells us early in the novel, “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.  If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other, or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.” Yet, this statement goes against the general sentiment in Jane Austen’s novels, where knowing a person, especially their character, is the ideal. Best summed up by Mrs. Croft in Persuasion here:

“We had better not talk about it, my dear,” replied Mrs Croft, pleasantly; “for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy together. I had known you by character, however, long before.”

We learn a good deal about Mr. Collins’s character through Elizabeth. So much of it is readily apparent that it’s impossible that Charlotte is not aware as well, given that she does spend some time with him. Charlotte knows:

“The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature... Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary.”

C. E. Brock illustration for the 1895 edition of Jane Austen‘s novel Pride and Prejudice (Chapter 28)

Charlotte herself says, “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.”

This means Charlotte has actually not followed her above advice. She knows Mr. Collins, she is aware of his character, but what she knows isn’t good. And yet she goes for it. Elizabeth condemns her in thought, “but she had not supposed it to be possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage.” Elizabeth is appalled that Charlotte would marry for security without any hint of love.

Later, when Elizabeth is leaving Kent after her visit, she thinks this: “Poor Charlotte! it was melancholy to leave her to such society! But she had chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting that her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for compassion. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns, had not yet lost their charms”

Charlotte Lucas in Pride & Prejudice 2005

Charlotte is not left resolved; the narrator never tells us either way if Charlotte made the right choice or not. Charlotte was a woman of action, she saw a chance and jumped at it. Some reader admire her for it. Unlike Mr. Bennet, who has an unequal and unhappy marriage, Charlotte was not deceived by lust (a big Austen no no), she did understand the character of the man she married. We are left with a “yet”. 

I think because Austen is telling us to draw the line ourselves. She lays out the parameters: twenty-seven, never handsome, no fortune, keeping her sisters from marrying. Is it okay for her to accept and even target a man that she knows she will never love? Elizabeth is against the decision, but she’s 20, not standing in anyone’s way, and pretty enough. Where is the line between prudence and avarice? Will Charlotte ultimately be happy?

Charlotte Collins and Mr. Collins, 1995 BBC miniseries

I think the question we are left to ponder is: was it worth it in the end?

Further question to contemplate:

1. Did Mr. Collins reuse, nearly word for word, his proposal from Elizabeth to Charlotte? Bonus: Did he make an error and refer to the Bennets by mistake?
2. Do you think Charlotte’s answer would have changed if she somehow knew Mr. Bennet would live until 90?
3. Would you accept Collins in the same position as Charlotte Lucas? Honestly, I think I would have.

More:

The Problem with Portrayals of Mr. Collins

Everyone Failed Lydia Bennet

Genteel Poverty vs. Actual Poverty in Austen’s Time

They Would Not Have Said That! Words that Didn’t Exist in the Regency Era

How well could Caroline Bingley expect to marry?