How Does Charlotte Lucas View On Marriage

In Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett and Charlotte Lucas have contrary ideals when it comes to marriage. Elizabeth wants to marry for love, passion and happiness. While Charlotte wants to marry for wealth, social standing and security. With very different views on marriage reoccuring in the book, it is clear that marriage is an exceedingly prominent theme throughout the novel. It is shown through exceptionally diverse point of views that are contrastable between two women. Elizabeth and Charlotte make very different choices with their contrastive beliefs on marriage. Charlotte Lucas has a superficial view on marriage. All she can ask for is a “comfortable home.” (87) She does not seek a gracious and thoughtful man, but rather she bases her ideals exclusively on a man's family social rank, money and connections. Charlotte wants to marry for the benefit of security, and wealth. She does not go about “thinking highly either of men or matrimony.” (85) Although, marriage had always been her goal. When her opportunity to marry Mr.Collins arose, she could not refuse his offer. She wants to marry to solidify her life. Although, she believes that …show more content…
Elizabeth does not have a lot of money to offer a husband. As a member of the upper class, Elizabeth is not expected to create a career for herself to earn money. Although, she is not allowed to inherit anything from her father, along with her four other sisters. Therefore, marriage is basically their only option for attaining wealth and social standing. Mr.Collins offers her a secure marriage but she denies it. She does not think she could make him happy, nor does she think that he could make her happy. This shows that she puts her well being and emotions in front of her as every day confirms her belief “of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.”