The marriage between Charlotte and Mr. Collins is one of convenience. Despite the fact that Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte shortly after asking Elizabeth, Charlotte accepts the proposal. It appears that Charlotte agrees because she feels she has no other choice. Most of the community does not see anything wrong with their hasty marriage and it seems to be considered a social norm.
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Charlotte Lucas is almost to the age where she would be considered an old maid. She has not received any proposals until Mr. Collins comes along. Women in this era depended on their father when they were young, on their brother(s) if their father died, and on their husbands once married. Charlotte is the oldest and does not like relying on her parents and feeling like a burden to them. She sees Mr. Collins as a smart choice for her because he would be able to provide a comfortable life for her. He has a respectable occupation and a relatively high standing in society as the patron of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Charlotte is not looking for love, especially since she feels that most people are extremely lucky if they find love in their marriage. She sees marriage as the way to become more respected in society. Once married, she is content with her lot since she loves to run her own household. All she ever desired was a life partner, not a soul-mate.
Charlotte marries Mr. Collins primarily for financial security and social status. She sees it as a practical decision to secure her future, despite not being in love with him. Charlotte values stability and practicality over romantic love in her decision to marry Mr. Collins.
The Collins marry in Chapter 26, in those books not broken down by volume, or in Chapter III of Volume II in those that are. In my book it is on page 113 of 298 pages.
She was 27 years old and she felt she was a burden to her family. She had no money to offer. It was seldom that anyone had the luxary to marry for love.