Within the setting of the novel, the Lucases serve as a kind of foil for the Bennets. As a prosperous local family, they seem to be the closest peers for the Bennets, reflected in Mrs. Bennet’s ongoing rivalry with Lady Lucas and the friendships between the two families’ daughters. Though the two may be of fairly equal footing now, Sir William began as a town tradesman whereas Mr. Bennet has been a gentleman all his life, a difference reflected in the expectations and values of both families.
Based on the text of the novel, we can glean the following about the Lucas family:
- Sir William Lucas married Lady Lucas and had the following children:
- Charlotte Lucas, who marries William Collins over the course of the novel
- Maria Lucas
- A young, male Lucas
- Possibly other children
The Lucas family lives at Lucas Lodge, presumably a new house, we we know is outside of Meryton, Hertfordshire.
