How does Mrs Bennet describe Charlotte?

Answer 1

Mr. Bennet's heir is Mr. Collins.

Though Mr. Bennet has five daughters, none can be the heiress, because the estate is entailed. The entailment states that the heir has to be male. The result is that because Mr. Bennet has no son, the estate must be left to the next male in line, who is a cousin.

The entailment is not something that was automatic under English law. Estates could be left to daughters, and were, unless some owner wrote the entailment into a deed or will.

Since Rosings is not entailed, Anne de Bourgh is able to inherit the estate. Her situation provides an interesting counterpoise to that of the Bennet girls.

Answer 2

Mrs. Bennet describes Charlotte as plain, practical, and lacking in financial prospects. She sees Charlotte as settling for a marriage of convenience with Mr. Collins rather than waiting for a more advantageous offer.

Answer 3

He's an odd character.