Pride And Prejudice: Contrast Elizabeth And Charlotte Lucas on Marriage

In Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte Lucas get married to Mr. Collins. What would Charlotte Lucas' opinion in marriage? What would be the opinion in marriage from Elizabeth Bennet?

In chapter 19 Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth but she decides not to accept because she does not love him. This causes Mrs Bennet, who wants to marry off all her daughters to suitable suitors, tell her daughter - in a fit of rage - that if she doesn't marry Mr Collins she shall never talk to her again. However, Mr Bennet refuses to force Elizabeth to marry Mr Collins and so instead he ends up proposing to Charlotte, Elizabeth's best friend.

Charlotte Lucas is six years older than Elizabeth, and does not view love as the most vital component of a marriage. She is more interested in having a comfortable home. Thus, when Mr. Collins proposes, she accepts. This is in complete contrast to Elizabeth who believes that love is the most important component of marriage, the reason she turned Mr Collins proposal down.

Charlotte Lucas' marriage to Mr Collins demonstrates that the heart does not always dictate marriage. However Jane Austen suggests that for the main characters true love is a force separate from society and is something that can conquer even the most difficult of circumstances.

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