Charlotte Collins (née Lucas) is a major character in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She is the eldest daughter of Sir William and Lady Lucas, the eldest sister to a few siblings including Maria Lucas, the wife of William Collins, and a good friend of the Bennet family, especially Elizabeth. Charlotte is 27 years old at the beginning of the novel and was headed toward spinsterhood before marrying Mr. Collins.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Charlotte was raised in Hertfordshire as the eldest of many siblings in Lucas Lodge. Her parents were not particularly wealthy, so when she didn't marry she became a burden. She became a very good friend of Elizabeth Bennet, and also got along well with Jane Bennet.
When Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy arrived in Meryton, She is standing and conversing with Jane. Elizabeth accompanied them after dancing and Charlotte identifies them with one other gentleman, and two ladies. Charlotte briefs them on who they are.
Mr. Bingley shows an interest in Jane and dancing with her while Darcy unknowingly slighted Elizabeth in his abrupt attitude in his aspirations not to dance. Charlotte comforts Elizabeth after she overhears Darcy say in regards to Elizabeth, “Tolerable, I dare say, but not handsome enough to tempt me.” Charlotte takes humor when Elizabeth declares dance with someone as miserable as he is.
At Lucas Lodge, Charlotte continues to converse with Elizabeth and conveyed to her that Jane should show more of an interest in him in order to gain his hand in marriage. Elizabeth dismissed it, believing that Jane was showing all the interest she could.[1] Charlotte also noticed that Mr. Darcy was paying attention to Elizabeth, even though Elizabeth had sworn to hate him.
At the Netherfield ball, Elizabeth was shocked when Mr. Darcy asked her for a dance, and she agreed out of surprise. Charlotte, who saw the whole exchange, told Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy was complimenting her by asking her to dance and advised her not to turn him down just because she was attracted to George Wickham, saying that Mr. Darcy was a man more powerful than Mr. Wickham.[2]
Charlotte also met William Collins, Lizzy's cousin who was the heir of the Bennet estate, Longbourn, during the ball, distracting him when he tried to engage Elizabeth in conversation, as she saw Elizabeth is uncomfortable by his presence.[3]
Charlotte in the 2005 movie
Marriage[]
When Elizabeth refused Mr. Collins' offer of marriage, Charlotte invited him to dine at Lucas Lodge, and gave a sympathetic ear for him to talk to (after he was embarrassed at a failed proposal to Elizabeth) and was able to steer his attention towards herself. He eventually proposed to Charlotte, which she accepted.[4]
Her parents were overjoyed, and Lady Lucas started wondering when Mr. Bennet would die so her daughter could take over Longbourn. Charlotte asked to be the one who told Lizzy of her engagement, which Mr. Collins agreed. Elizabeth was shocked by Charlotte's announcement but wished her well, hoping that her friend would be happy. Charlotte left Hertfordshire, and her friendship with Elizabeth seemed slightly strained afterwards.[5]
Elizabeth and Charlotte eventually repaired their friendship by the time Charlotte wrote Elizabeth to visit her the following March in the company of Sir William and Maria. Elizabeth reluctantly agreed at first but was happy to see Charlotte again when the time came.[6] The Collinses moved to the Hunsford Parsonage in Kent, where Mr. Collins worked in the parish. They were close to Rosings Park, the home of Mr. Collins's patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Charlotte showed Elizabeth around Hunsford and subtly revealed that she had set up her lifestyle to not see Mr. Collins as much as possible; even having a parlor for her own particular occupancy.
Maria, Elizabeth, and Sir William were invited to dine with Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Rosings, where they met Lady Catherine and her daughter, Anne. When Mr. Darcy, Lady Catherine's nephew, visited Rosings and came to the Hunsford parsonage, Charlotte immediately deduced that it was because Elizabeth was there and realized that he was falling in love with her friend.[7] Though Elizabeth denied this, Charlotte still had her suspicions discerned that he does indeed have feelings for her.
After Elizabeth left the Hunsford parsonage, Charlotte is not mentioned again till the end, when Mr. Bennet receives a letter from Mr. Collins, congratulating him on Jane and Mr. Bingley's engagement, and announcing that the Collinses are expecting their first child.[8] Mr. Bennet later wrote back to Mr. Collins, announcing that Elizabeth was engaged to Mr. Darcy, which delighted Charlotte. Soon after, she and Mr. Collins left Kent and came to stay with her family at Lucas Lodge. Elizabeth later figured out that they were trying to escape the wrath of Lady Catherine, who was incensed by Mr. Darcy marrying Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Collins decided to stay in Meryton until the "storm had passed," which eventually happened.[9]
Personality[]
Charlotte has never been physically beautiful, and is described as being intelligent and sensible. She does not consider herself a romantic, marrying the first man who shows interest in her not because she loves him, but more as an arrangement to obtain financial stability. She makes the best of things, arranging her new household to avoid spending much time with her husband, who is infamous for his cringe-worthy comments.[10]
Titles[]
- Charlotte - by close friends and family.
- Miss Lucas - before her marriage by everyone else as she was her parents' eldest child.
- Mrs. Collins - after her marriage.
Notes[]
- She possesses not only a very intellectual mind, but is also very observant and has a very discerning wit.
- She is one of the female characters in the story to marry more for arrangement and financial situations.
- She has no skill in music and the piano. She is encouraged by Lady Catherine to practice in her estate and assures her that no one will be the way in that part of the house.
- While Lady Lucas is happy that Charlotte is to obtain the Bennet Estate, it’s likely that when Charlotte has the estate alongside Mr. Collins, she is likely to care for Mrs. Bennet as she is her In-Law.