She is going to be so unhappy with that pompous brainless oaf, Mr. Collins! If her ambition is to rise in society, she chose poorly; unless the Church of England holds unctuousness and smarminess in high regard, I don't foresee Mr. Collins rising to the rank of bishop anytime soon.
God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)
Quite the contrary.
We are told by Austen herself that Charlotte was content with her lot in life and that she went into the marriage with her eyes open. Remember, when Mr. Bennet dies Charlotte will find herself the mistress of Longbourn with an income of 2,000 pounds per year. And, since she's a better money manager than Mrs. Bennet, I'm betting her daughters will not have to worry about being destitute if they don't marry.
As an aside, the Collins in this adaptation would be easier to live with than the one in the 1995 version. That one creeps me out.
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Charlotte was content and smart. Your accessment is great. The 1995 Collins version..oh my.
***Ignorance isn't bliss. Ignorance is laziness. So stop being so lazy!***
Charlotte's marriage to Collins is probably closer to the reality for many regency era marriages among the gentry and upper classes than Lizzie's marriage to Darcy, which was based on love.
Charlotte and Mr. Collins married for pragmatism. Mr. Collins needed a respectable gentlewoman who knew how to manage a household efficiently, Charlotte needed a respectable gentleman because she was afraid of being dependent on her parents/brothers as a perpetual spinster and wanted her own home (that Mr. C happened to be heir to a comfortable estate is probably a bonus, had he just been a vicar with a comfortable living she'd probably still have gone after him). They were not looking for love.
The prospects for a rapidly ageing gentlewoman without her own income was very dim. Without family support it nearly guaranteed a very limited life and even poverty. Charlotte made an astute decision regarding her future well-being.
I don't think Charlotte viewed Mr Collins as bishop material either. But he provided her with house and home, income and not-too-objectionable company (if you don't count Lady Catherine's intrusive presence). Charlotte was also bright and managed Mr Collins' silliness and presence in the home better than many women could.
Charlotte described her situation quite eloquently when she defended herself against Lizzie's disappointment. She had limited prospects as a woman of certain age in early 1800's England, and so had to seize on opportunities when they arose.
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