How any self-respecting woman could place herself in the position of life long mate to Mr. Collins is a puzzle to Elizabeth, who cannot completely forgive Charlotte for compromising her principles. Charlotte's decision must have been common in Jane's day: To take the first man who comes along or face a life living as a second class citizen in someone else's house, always taking someone else's orders and never having the freedom to make one's own choices. Mr. Collins proposal, which Charlotte worked hard for, was her first opportunity to become mistress of her own house, have some standing in life, and raise a family. Charlotte knew that because of her age and lack of good looks, no other offers would come her way, and so her brain said yes, even though her heart was not involved.
Which actress in your opinion played Charlotte best? This is a tough choice, I know, for Charlotte is often not given much screen time.
Which Actress Played Charlotte Lucas Best?
Karen Morley, 1940 P&P and Irene Richard, 1980 P&P
Lucy Scott, 1995 P&P; Claudie Blakley, 2005 P&P, or Michelle Duncan, Lost in Austen
I voted for Claudie Blakley. I think she best suited the image in my mind as I read the novel.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was Lucy Scot as my image of Charlotte perhaps because the Jenifer Ehle and Colin Firth series had such an impact through its length in weekly episodes resulting in more reflection time rather than just a two hour cinema fix.
ReplyDeleteDoes that make sense?
Indeed it does Nigel. I wondered if more people would vote for Lucy because of the length of the 1995 P&P, but Claudie seems to have made more of a recent impression
ReplyDeleteLucy Scott is my favorite of all the Charlotte's. I agree with Nigel's reasons for my choice.
ReplyDeleteIt does make perfect sense to me Nigel!
Thank you, Vic and Nona Beach.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nigel also.
ReplyDeleteI would also add that Claudie Blakley's Charlotte seems too feisty to settle for Mr. Collins. Lucy Scot really convinced me of that streak of quiet desperation in Charlotte's pragmatic acceptance that Mr. Collins was as good as it was going to get for her....
It was a hard call between Lucy Scott and Irene Richards but I had to go with the latter. The 1995 Pride & prejudice is iconic but the 1980 version is pretty great also and often overlooked. Irene Richards did a great job and, being more homely than Lucy Scott (who I always thought a bit too pretty for the role), better fulfills my visual image of Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely think Lucy Scott. I love the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice!
ReplyDelete