How important a character is Charlotte?

Charlotte is a sensible, kind and genuine character. She is Elizabeth's closest friend and gives her useful advide and insight into what she must do regarding Jane and Bingley. She is an important character in the book because we can compare her behaviour to that of Elizabeth's. Charlotte represents the perfect woman in the 19th century; she understands her social position and objectively tries to accept Mr Collins as best as she can. Some may say she is plain and quiet, and in some ways she is. She conforms to societies ways of gaining a home and money, even if her husband is inadequate. Charlotte didn't believe she could find love so she jumped at the opportunity of marrying Mr Collins. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was not bound to the idea that marriage was to only gain a home and to satisfy relatives. She has a lot of pride in her self and did not agree to marry her unpleasant cousin, Mr Collins. Although she did endure threats from her mother. The contrast between Elizabeth and Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice is inevitable. Both have different views on how to marry and both views completely contradict eachother. Whilst Charlotte has very ordinary and generic social values and doesn't dare speak her opinion; Elizabeth isnt afraid to voice her opinion and believes that "only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony". Charlotte is important in order for the reader to get an understanding of how women back in the 19th century were expected to behave. By seeing Charlottes polite manner and attitude towards societies expectations, we can see Elizabeth resisting conventional ways.