Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen?

Question

Chorlotte doesnt marry Mr Collins for love,why does she marry him?only for money?

Answer 1

It is not just for money that she marries Mr. Collins. She marries him for a legitimate place in society that gives her a social standing within her own social framework.

Jane Austen never despised money or social position. She only felt that they were not, in themselves, reason enough to enter into a marriage.

Elizabeth, who will only marry for love, winds up in the most advantageous social position of all in the end.

But she is disappointed in Charlotte, because she thinks she has only married him for money. Her sister recognizes that Charlotte has limited choices, and her other choice is to remain a single woman, dependent upon her family for support.

Her marriage gives her a greater scope for her talents; a home of her own, a respectable position in society, and thus the kind of security and standing without which she could not marry respectably within that time period and place.

Lizzie objects because Mr. Collins is not a sensible man. Charlotte is a pragmatist. She recognizes that many, if not most marriages of which she is aware are or have become pragmatic. Her father is not a sensible man. Even the relationship between Lizzie's parents has led Mr. Bennett into public behavior that is dispiriting to Lizzie, herself. So Charlotte is in a sense the supreme realist. This is what I am capable of attaining to, and I shall do it. She recognizes that Mr. Collins peculiar sense of himself will let her have a lot of personal freedom and that he is manipulatable, if not sensible.

But she has to choose her bondage as it were and she chooses that bondage which gives her the best social standing and most independence and respectability that she can hope for.

Lizzie despises her for settling. Lizzie would rather remain single than marry without love. But she never despises the conventions of her social class. She recognizes that love without money will lead to ruin, and that people who are like each other socially are more likely to be fitted for each in other in marriage, holding to the same social norms and feelings.

Charlotte is a realist from looking around her. One is almost tempted to say she is a cynic, but I don't think so. I think her feelings are not as strong and determinative in her as they are in Lizzie.

Maggie

Answer 2

Security. In that society, a woman had no other option than to marry. She was getting older (I think 28? though I may be wrong on that one.) Most women were married by their early twenties. Also, she lived in a small village and didn't get to meet many new men... and she was not attractive enough to get a man to marry her, especially when she could bring no dowry.

Mr. Collins, though not the brightest bulb in the box, was basically a good man. There was no danger of him being unfaithful (what woman would have him? And he's a clergyman), and he would eventually inherit an estate right next door to her family home.

There were actually plenty of good reasons for her to marry him. It was an act of desperation and the knowledge that the man would be happy with her. He wasn't romantic, and was very happy picking a woman who would please his patron. It is a great comfort to feel wanted and needed... in the end, she married him.... yes, for financial reasons, but also as an act of caring and understanding towards him.... and she chose the course of action that would most likely make her happy in the end.

Answer 3

Because at the time, women outnumbered men by two to one because of the many casualties in the Napoleonic Wars. It was a matter of catch as catch can. Charlotte had no illusions about her situation when it came to beauty and charm. She was grateful to be able to marry a respectable man who could keep her in a very comfortable style. If you have ever read Jane Austen's novel "Emma" you will be aware of how wretched was the situation of a gentlewoman who did not marry and who subsisted on a very low income. Jane Austen herself lived with her brother as part of his household, being unmarried, and was fortunate to have a roof over her head and relatives to whom she was close. Charlotte was an only child and so could look forward to no such advantage if she did not marry.

Answer 4

Charlotte Lucas makes it clear to Elizabeth Bennet that married people are only happy by chance. She makes no presumptions that unions should be formed on romantic notions.

Charlotte Lucas married Mr. Collins, the sole inheritor of the Bennet estate, for financial reasons. She is a 27-year-old "spinster" who will become dependent on her brothers and a burden to her family if she does not get married soon. Though Mr.Collin's personality was undesirable and pompous, he was possibly one of her last chances to get married. That is one reason why she chose to marry him so quickly, within days of his rejected proposal to Elizabeth.

Notice that when Charlotte Lucas is married to Mr.Collins, she keeps a private room in the back of the house so they aren't constantly in each other's company, like the Bennets.

Answer 5

No she marries him for companionship. Her family does not have a noble title that would get her a prestige's husband. She did not think there would be someone out there who would ever ask her hand in marriage again. Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite book. I've read it about 10 times.

Answer 6

In the early 1800's women were not allowed to inherit property and were not able to work. Charlotte not only married for money
but she knew she had no other options. If Lizzie didn't want him
she'd take him, besides her family approved of the match.
She married him because she wanted to be taken care of and he had a respectable job ( he was a clergyman). Charlotte was a realist and she knew she had no romantic ideals of what she wanted in a husband.

Answer 7

I dont think she loved him but I think she had at least grown fond of him....and no I don't think it was for money. I believe it was more cause she didn't want to be a burden to her parents anymore because she was still unmarried & almost getting too "old" (for back then) to still be able to.

Answer 8

no, not for money. it's because she is getting older and she most likely won't ever be asked again and back then woman not marrying just didn't happen that often. also she didn't want to be a burden to her parents.
peace

Answer 9

I think so. I have the book at home but I haven't read it in a long time and I think I've lost it... But probably on for money.