Final answer:
Mrs. English is a minor character because she serves the specific function of highlighting societal expectations rather than being fully developed. Her classification as a flat or static character indicates her consistent and singular role within the narrative structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mrs. English is best classified as a minor character because she performs a specific function in the novel, drawing attention to the societal expectations and conventions of the period related to women's social advancement and financial security through marriage. Being categorized as a flat or static character does not mean she is unimportant; on the contrary, her presence in the story serves an essential role by highlighting the constrained position of women in the society of Jane Austen's time. As a character in literature, her depiction is more about the ideas she represents rather than a fully developed personal arc or complex personality.
Characters in fiction such as Mrs. English are often not given the same narrative focus as main characters, like Catherine Morland in Austen's novels. They typically support the protagonist or antagonist but do not undergo significant personal development or change, hence they are described as secondary or minor characters. Their limited portrayal can often be summarized in a single sentence, emphasizing their role over their development.)
This distinction of character roles contributes to the overall structure and thematic composition of a narrative, where the primary characters drive the story forward while the minor characters underscore certain thematic elements.