Sensible Charlotte
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Posted by kates on December 03, 1997 at 18:32:09:
In response to My take on Charlotte, written by Mark on December 03, 1997 at 13:01:55
]
] I see her making lemonaid with the lemons life has dealt her. Yes, P&P2 shows her turning sour. But I don't see that in the novel. In that, I think P&P1 was closer.
I think Mark's got it absolutely right. Charlotte made the best choice out of the options available. More to the point, she made that choice with her eyes wide open. And her comments to Lizzie about the amount of time Mr Collins spends in the garden etc indicate she even has a sense of humour about it. Lizzie's initial problem with her decision is an unwillingness to accept what Charlotte has faced up to, that there is no likelihood of a white knight (or Mr Darcy) rolling up. Austen knows, and is telling us, that sometimes sensible people have to make hard bargains. Charlotte got what she wanted out of the deal and is (will be) content. I believe that Charlotte will be a better spouse - and a better parent - than Mr Bennett, precisely because she knows and accepts the score from the start.
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