CM&L
Posted by Bob S. on December 03, 1997 at 11:35:06:
In response to Mary and Mr. Collins, written by Susanne on December 03, 1997 at 00:44:38
] If Mary had married Mr. Collins, it would have solved the problem of the entailment, thus making the ending a little less "climactic." As Jane Austin wrote it, with Jane and Elizabeth marrying money, they also saved Longbourn. I think Charlotte served a purpose here in preventing Mr. Collins from marrying into the Bennet family, thus prolonging the suspense as to what would happen to them financially. Also, If Mr. Collins had been the brother-in-law, he would have been expected to help out with the Lydia problem, thus preventing Darcy from playing the "hero." Plotwise, I think Charlotte was a very necessary character.
I agree with you completely. Can you imagine the kind of help Mr. Collins would have given Lydia?
"The death of your daughter would been a blessing in comparison of this."...
"You ought certainly to forgive them as christians, but never to admit them in your sight, of allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing."
His approach probably would have been to disinherit Lydia and leave her to her own devices in London. And I suspect that Mary would have encouraged him in this approach.
Bob S.
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