What does elizabeth's assessment of charlotte's happiness suggest about charlotte's marriage?

Answer 1

Elizabeth has already considered the issue and discussed it with her sister, Jane. She knows the arguments in favor of marriage for money, and has already rejected them. But Charlotte's arguments are really a set of ill considered repetitions of the ideas Elizabeth has rejected, almost to the point of parody.

Charlotte is trying to be rational about a subject with strong emotional implications. But even in her rationality, her thoughts are faulty. She says it is better to know as little as possible about one's mate's imperfections; can this really be true? And her argument is that it is not necessary to feel any emotional attraction to a person with whom she would spend her life; is this wise?

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I partially disagree: the rules in Austen's time have been abandoned long ago, thankfully! Charlotte knew that she had only two assets: her relatively proper upbringing and her father's title (who was NOT a genuine gentleman, nevertheless, as he had been a merchant, so her connections were non-existent). As the only "envisage-able" career for a woman in her social position would have been to become a governess, she knew she simply had to marry. Being very lucid, she knew she was neither beautiful, nor very young, nor wealthy, so she would logically attract only a second-rate husband. If you are to swallow a disgusting medicine, what good would it do to smell and taste it for half an hour?? This does not mean I fully support her, merely that I understand her. Elisabeth did, too, but that did not prevent her from feeling sorry (and a little contemptuous) for her friend. She would have rather faced a lifetime of loneliness and relative poverty than to marry Mr. Collins, whereas to Charlotte this was a chance not to be missed! To Lizzie, love, mutual respect, trust and a profound knowledge of each other were prerequisites. She had seen her parents' marriage go down the drains because the only thing they once had in common - physical attraction - had long gone and was replaced by Mrs. Bennet's poor nerves and Mr' Bennet's books and silences. This is why she demanded much more from marriage, unlike many of the girls in her contemporary society.

Answer 2

Elizabeth's assessment of Charlotte's happiness suggests that Charlotte's marriage may be lacking in emotional fulfillment. Charlotte's practical approach to marriage may prioritize security and status over personal happiness and fulfillment. Elizabeth's concerns about Charlotte's happiness hint at the potential compromises and sacrifices that Charlotte may have made in her marriage.