Pride and Prejudice
Charlotte Lucas
Elizabeth's sensible friend
Elizabeth's closest neighbor and friend, who thinks marriage is mainly about a comfortable, secure home. She chooses accordingly.
Charlotte Lucas is twenty-seven, the daughter of Sir William Lucas, and Elizabeth's best friend in the neighborhood. She is intelligent, practical and patient, and she understands the money side of marriage better than most. Her calm presence is a relief after the noise at Longbourn.
Charlotte does not have a fortune or striking looks, and she knows it. She is not romantic, and she says so plainly. What she wants is a home of her own and a respectable position, and she is willing to accept less than love to get them.
“Why should you be surprised? I am not handsome, Lizzy, and have no fortune. Mr. Collins's character is respectable, and his situation in life is all that I can desire.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
When Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins, Charlotte comforts him and soon accepts his proposal. Elizabeth is shocked and disappointed, and Charlotte tells her plainly that she is not handsome and has no fortune, and that Mr. Collins's situation is all she wants.
Elizabeth visits her at Hunsford Parsonage in March and sees how skillfully Charlotte has arranged the house. She put Mr. Collins's study at the front, where he can watch the road, and kept her own parlor quiet. Charlotte has made the best of her bargain, and Elizabeth admires her management even if she would not choose the same life.
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