Summary
Chapter 22
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Charlotte Lucas accepts Mr. Collins's proposal of marriage, shocking Elizabeth with her practical decision. Just one day after Elizabeth rejected him, Collins proposes to Charlotte, who immediately says yes. Charlotte's reasoning is purely practical - at 27, she's considered past her prime for marriage, and Collins offers financial security and social respectability. She doesn't love him, but she believes a comfortable home matters more than romantic feelings. Elizabeth is horrified by her friend's choice, seeing it as selling herself for security. This creates the first real rift in their friendship, as Elizabeth can't understand how Charlotte could marry someone so ridiculous and pompous. Charlotte, however, is calm and matter-of-fact about her decision. She knows exactly what she's getting - a silly husband, but also a home of her own and freedom from being a burden on her family. The chapter reveals the harsh realities facing women in this era, where marriage was often their only path to economic independence. Charlotte represents the practical woman who makes the best of limited options, while Elizabeth represents the romantic ideal of marrying for love. Their different approaches to marriage highlight one of the novel's central themes - the tension between practical necessity and personal happiness. Charlotte's decision also removes a potential obstacle for Elizabeth, as Collins is now permanently off the market. The chapter shows how women's choices were shaped by economic pressures, and how even close friends could have fundamentally different views on what makes life worth living.
Coming Up in Chapter 23
News of Charlotte's engagement spreads through the neighborhood, causing various reactions from different families. Elizabeth must come to terms with losing her closest friend to a decision she cannot respect.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
I[llustration] The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases; and again, during the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. “It keeps him in good humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.” Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable; but Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of:--its object was nothing less than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins’s addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character; for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that, if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success could be known likewise; for, though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there. In as short a time as Mr. Collins’s long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house, he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained. Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever [Illustration: “So much love and eloquence” [_Copyright 1894 by George Allen._]] excited before, how many years...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between settling for less and making the best choice within real limitations.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Establishment
A woman's own household and social position through marriage. In Austen's time, this was often the only way for women to gain independence and security, since they couldn't inherit property or have careers.
Prudent match
A marriage based on practical considerations like money, social status, and security rather than love. Society expected women to be 'prudent' and choose stability over romance, especially if they were getting older.
On the shelf
A woman past the prime age for marriage, typically around 25-30. These women were seen as burdens on their families and had few options for independent life.
Portion
The money or property a woman brings to marriage, like a dowry. Women without good portions had fewer marriage prospects and less bargaining power.
Settled in life
Having achieved financial security and social respectability, usually through marriage for women. This was considered the ultimate goal for women of this era.
Characters in This Chapter
Charlotte Lucas
Elizabeth's pragmatic friend
Makes the calculated decision to marry Mr. Collins for security rather than love. Her choice represents the harsh reality that many women faced - choosing survival over happiness.
Elizabeth Bennet
Idealistic protagonist
Horrified by Charlotte's practical marriage choice, showing her privilege in being able to hold out for love. Her reaction reveals both her romantic nature and her naivety about other women's limited options.
Mr. Collins
Pompous suitor
Quickly rebounds from Elizabeth's rejection to propose to Charlotte, showing his practical approach to finding a wife. His rapid pivot demonstrates that he sees marriage as a duty rather than a romantic choice.
Sir William Lucas
Charlotte's father
Pleased with his daughter's engagement to Mr. Collins, representing the parental view that any respectable marriage is better than remaining unmarried.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."
Context: Charlotte explains her practical decision to marry Mr. Collins to Elizabeth
This quote reveals Charlotte's realistic worldview about marriage and happiness. She doesn't expect romance or passion, just security and comfort, which shows how limited women's expectations had to be in this era.
"You must not disappoint your father."
Context: Charlotte accepts Mr. Collins's proposal immediately
Shows Charlotte's understanding that this opportunity won't come again and that family expectations matter. Her quick acceptance demonstrates how marriage was often a business transaction rather than a romantic choice.
"Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte—impossible!"
Context: Elizabeth's shocked reaction to news of Charlotte's engagement
Elizabeth's disbelief shows her inability to understand how someone could marry without love. Her reaction highlights the class privilege that allows her to be choosy about marriage.
Thematic Threads
Economic Survival
In This Chapter
Charlotte chooses security over love because marriage is her only path to financial independence
Development
Introduced here as counterpoint to Elizabeth's romantic idealism
In Your Life:
Have you ever had to choose financial security over following your heart, or do you have the privilege of prioritizing passion over practical concerns?
Female Friendship
In This Chapter
Elizabeth and Charlotte's friendship strains under fundamentally different approaches to life choices
Development
First major test of their bond, showing how class differences affect relationships
In Your Life:
When has a major life decision created tension with a close friend who made completely different choices than you would?
Practical Wisdom
In This Chapter
Charlotte demonstrates clear-eyed assessment of her limited options and makes strategic choice
Development
Challenges the novel's romantic themes by showing alternative form of intelligence
In Your Life:
Can you think of a time when being practical and strategic served you better than following idealistic expectations?
Social Judgment
In This Chapter
Elizabeth judges Charlotte harshly for pragmatic choice, revealing her own privilege
Development
Elizabeth's prejudice extends beyond Darcy to her closest friend
In Your Life:
Have you ever judged a friend's life choices harshly without fully considering the different pressures and limitations they face?
Marriage Economics
In This Chapter
Collins rebounds immediately from rejection, treating marriage as business transaction
Development
Reinforces marriage as economic arrangement rather than romantic choice
In Your Life:
Have you witnessed someone approach dating or relationships like a business decision rather than seeking emotional connection?
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What choice does Charlotte make and why does she make it so quickly?
- 2
Why is Elizabeth horrified by Charlotte's decision when Charlotte seems calm about it?
- 3
Where do you see people today making 'Charlotte choices' - picking security over passion?
- 4
If you were Charlotte's friend, how would you support her decision even if you disagreed with it?
- 5
What does this reveal about how different people define a successful life?
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Constraint Reality
Think of a major decision you're facing or recently made. List your ideal choice, then honestly map your actual constraints - money, time, family obligations, health, location, skills. Now look at Charlotte's choice again. Write a paragraph defending a 'practical' decision you or someone you know has made that others might judge as settling.
Consider:
- •What constraints are invisible to outside observers but very real to you?
- •How do your current resources and responsibilities shape what's actually possible?
- •What would change if you had Elizabeth's advantages versus Charlotte's limitations?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 23
What lies ahead teaches us key events and character development in this chapter, and shows us thematic elements and literary techniques. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.