I've come to appreciate Charlotte Lucas as a solidly practical woman, though it has taken many re-reads over several years to get over my dislike. For don't we all want to relate to Elizabeth, to believe that we would be her if the story were ours? I appreciate the scene in the 1995 P&P in which Charlotte describes to Lizzie how she has managed her household & husband such that she rarely has to interact with Mr. Collins. She is displayed there as the most clever of introverts!
My 14-year-old daughter has declared herself fully on the side of Charlotte, as a woman with her eyes wide open to the limitations of her day. She finds Charlotte's pursuit of a comfortable & respectable home most admirable. But then, she is my most practical child. Perhaps Charlotte is the archetype for smart, observant, forthright girls?
I'm fascinated with Charlotte. She's observant of all that goes on but not overwhelmed by any of it. She seems calculating, but I don't find her coldly so. She's clearly capable of the intimacy of deep friendship. That capability leads me to think that she's not incapable of romantic love, and perhaps even great passion. But she finds herself in unpropitious circumstances, she's not beautiful, not wealthy and she wants children. She's placed in a social system that's going to leave her in a very disadvantageous position as she ages. Her candor with Elizabeth, letting her know that she's very aware of where she stands in their society, and she's going to do something about it, turns off many readers, but not me. I'm in her corner.
Jane Austen can't resist putting the reader to the test. Her portrayal of Mr. Collins as outwardly repulsive, puts team Charlotte in the position of becoming apologists for someone we wouldn't even want to have a drink with. I'd avoid having the drink with him, but still side with Charlotte!
I used to be much harsher on Charlotte, but now, as an uwed 32-year-old, I have a lot of sympathy for her. I certainly wouldn't marry a Mr. Collins just for the sake of being married, but "settling" isn't a dirty word to me anymore.
I've come to appreciate Charlotte Lucas as a solidly practical woman, though it has taken many re-reads over several years to get over my dislike. For don't we all want to relate to Elizabeth, to believe that we would be her if the story were ours? I appreciate the scene in the 1995 P&P in which Charlotte describes to Lizzie how she has managed her household & husband such that she rarely has to interact with Mr. Collins. She is displayed there as the most clever of introverts!
My 14-year-old daughter has declared herself fully on the side of Charlotte, as a woman with her eyes wide open to the limitations of her day. She finds Charlotte's pursuit of a comfortable & respectable home most admirable. But then, she is my most practical child. Perhaps Charlotte is the archetype for smart, observant, forthright girls?
I'm fascinated with Charlotte. She's observant of all that goes on but not overwhelmed by any of it. She seems calculating, but I don't find her coldly so. She's clearly capable of the intimacy of deep friendship. That capability leads me to think that she's not incapable of romantic love, and perhaps even great passion. But she finds herself in unpropitious circumstances, she's not beautiful, not wealthy and she wants children. She's placed in a social system that's going to leave her in a very disadvantageous position as she ages. Her candor with Elizabeth, letting her know that she's very aware of where she stands in their society, and she's going to do something about it, turns off many readers, but not me. I'm in her corner.
Jane Austen can't resist putting the reader to the test. Her portrayal of Mr. Collins as outwardly repulsive, puts team Charlotte in the position of becoming apologists for someone we wouldn't even want to have a drink with. I'd avoid having the drink with him, but still side with Charlotte!
I used to be much harsher on Charlotte, but now, as an uwed 32-year-old, I have a lot of sympathy for her. I certainly wouldn't marry a Mr. Collins just for the sake of being married, but "settling" isn't a dirty word to me anymore.