t your partner in life. (314) This statement obviously stems from the fact that he has learned from his own mistakes and does not want his daughter to fall into the same situation. Another marriage in the book that is strikingly similar to that of the Bennets is the marriage of Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins. They really do not have any feelings for each other whatsoever, and are merely getting married because it works out conveniently for them. Charlotte Lucas is twenty seven years old, and she is afraid that she is going to become an old maid without getting married. As she says to Elizabeth Bennet, Im not a Romantic you know, I never was. I ask only for a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collinss character, connections 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. (108). Charlotte is happy with marrying Mr. Collins because practically it makes the most sense for her, she does not believe that love and respect are integral to a marriage. In the same way, Mr. Collins is also marrying Charlotte for nothing but the convenience of it. He wants a wife, and she accepts his proposal, so he will marry her. We see as the story goes on, that this union does not make for such a happy marriage, because most of their time is spent not talking and avoiding each other. It is very clear that Charlotte has found happiness for herself as long as she keeps her husband out of the picture.While the Collins marriage was based on their mutual need for each other for practical purposes, we have a third marriage in the book that is based on far less than that. The marriage of Lydia Bennet to Mr. Wickham is a completely superficial union that is based on absolutely nothing. Lydia is no more than an irresponsible, immature flirt, while Wickhams greatest love in life is money. We see this very clearly when we find out that he had tried to elope with Georgianna...
