Charlotte and Mr. Collins

     Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins' relationship throughout Pride and Prejudice was not romantic like many others in the novel, but merely a comfortable living agreement. Jane Austen characterizes the relationship as such and other characters in the novel can sense the same feeling. Charlotte admits to not loving Collins in a romantic way, and tells her best friend Elizabeth that she just wanted to have a comfortable future, especially being as old as she was, at 27 years old.
     Before the relationship between Collins and Charlotte begins, the relationship between Collins and Lizzy ends essentially. He proposed to Lizzy one day, but she turned down the proposal, telling him that "you could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who would make you so" (94). Although it seems as if Collins won't accept this proposal, the reader is later surprised by the proposal to Lizzy's best friend Charlotte. She had previously told Lizzy at one of the balls, that she would never marry someone if not for love. Austen's marriage between the two however, contradicts this previous declaration.
     When Collins decides to propose to Miss Lucas, he sneaks out of the house and knows that it's not necessarily the best thing for his character. Austen says that Collins was "anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins" (106). Relationships at this time weren't always the best thought out in regards to the emotions of others and this scene furthers this assumption. Collins proposes to Charlotte and she accepts based off of an assurance of a stable, promising future with him. She does not love him, but knows that she needs to marry soon because she doesn't have any wealth on her own. After the proposal, it is said that "Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment" (107) didn't care as to when the marriage was, because she wasn't in love, she just wanted the wealth and a prospective future.
     Later in the day, Lizzy finds out about the proposal and is extremely surprised and doesn't want to believe what has happened. Charlotte tries to reassure her by telling her she is "not romantic, you know, I never was.  I only ask a comfortable home" (110). Collins merely wants a wife and was rejected by Elizabeth and Charlotte needs a husband to dictate her future. Back in these times, friends didn't play into their life decisions unfortunately for Elizabeth. Lizzy doesn't find this a substantial justification for what has happened and can't believe how Mr. Collins could offer a proposal to two different people within a span of three days. Austen also portrays the feeling of obliviousness in the sense that Charlotte doesn't realize how much Lizzy is affected by her previous proposal and the events that followed.