In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen guides the reader through the lives of several characters who are all part of upper-class Victorian life (a major component of the ending from the 18th and early 19th centuries). Austen uses a style of writing known as free indirect speech throughout the novel, which allows her to move from one character to another, revealing important details to the reader that they would not otherwise know. Austen's use of this point of view gives the novel's narrative an elegant edge over other British literature of the period. Charlotte Lucas, the best friend of the main character Elizabeth Bennet, is one of the characters that Austen uses this point of view to describe. Using free indirect speech, the narrator of Pride and Prejudice influences the characterization of Charlotte Lucas through the descriptions of Charlotte herself, her actions, and her marriage. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The narrator of Pride and Prejudice gives the reader inside information about Charlotte Lucas through the description of Charlotte herself. The first mention of Charlotte comes very early in the novel, and although short, the sentence is very revealing. The narrator says: “They (the Lucas) had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible and intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven years of age, was Elizabeth's intimate friend” (Austen 12). The narrator goes on to describe a conversation between Charlotte and Elizabeth regarding the ball that took place the day before. In this scene, the reader can see that Charlotte is an extremely rational person. His decisions are made based on safety and logic, not necessarily emotional fears. She believes that financial security is the most important thing. Another telling moment occurs much later in the novel, when Charlotte's inner thoughts are revealed. After the announcement of her marriage to Mr. Collins, the narrator says: "...and at the age of twenty-seven, without ever having been beautiful, she felt all the luck of it." The least pleasant circumstance in the affair was the surprise which it must have occasioned Elizabeth Bennet…” (94). The narrator's description of Charlotte's inner thoughts reveals that she was never truly beautiful, like Jane, and this prevented her from marrying. In the time the novel takes place, marriage was inevitable. Women did not work and the only way for them to support themselves was to marry a man. Charlotte was almost considered an old maid because she was not yet married; she knew it had to happen, otherwise she would be forced to embarrass her brothers by living with them for the rest of her life. Charlotte's decision to marry Mr. Collins may have burned a hole in her friendship with Elizabeth, but it was the rational thing to do. The narrator's description of Charlotte gives the reader information about her characterization. Another thing that the narrator describes that influences Charlotte Lucas' characterization are her actions. Although Charlotte, like any other woman, has emotions, these are rarely seen by the reader. This action, or lack of action, is something the reader must take into consideration. The major decision Charlotte makes in the novel is to accept Mr. Collins' proposal and, as previously stated, this is simply the most logical way to move forward in her life. Before the marriage was announced, there was no indication that Charlotte had any affection for Mr Collins. The two men did not know each other..806522492881843)