In Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins present a contrasting view of marriage. Charlotte, practical and facing limited prospects, marries for security. Mr. Collins, a pompous clergyman seeking a wife, prioritizes social climbing.

Their reasons reflect the social and economic pressures of the time. For unmarried women like Charlotte, financial dependence was a harsh reality. Marrying Mr. Collins, with his secure income and respectable position, offered escape from a potentially bleak future. Mr. Collins, on the other hand, sought to fulfill societal expectations by securing a wife, particularly one connected to the Bennet family. His motivations were driven by status and duty, not love.

Austen highlights the tension between romantic ideals and societal pressures. While Elizabeth Bennet seeks a love match, Charlotte prioritizes practicality. Their contrasting choices expose the limitations faced by women in a society where marriage significantly impacted social and economic standing.