Charlotte Collins (née Lucas)

The dearest friend of Elizabeth, Charlotte is the only character in Pride and Prejudice whose fate slightly mars the novel’s happy ending. Charlotte is kind, sensible, and intelligent. If Jane is described as practically being a spinster at 22, at 27 Charlotte is practically an old maid! Due to her age and her apparent lack of beauty, her marriage prospects are dwindling; thus she leaps at the chance to marry the odious Mr Collins despite having no romantic feelings towards him. Unlike Elizabeth, Charlotte is extremely pragmatic regarding marriage and appreciates it as primarily a matter of economic and social security, saying that “happiness in marriage is only a matter of chance,” while Elizabeth cannot imagine marrying Mr Collins due to his overall repulsive qualities. However, Charlotte tells her “I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” This difference in opinion results in a split in their friendship, though this is eventually repaired.