Lady Catherine De Bourgh's Pride And Prejudice

Families around the world gather at least once a year to celebrate religious holidays, momentous occasions, or cultural festivals. Although the reasons vary from culture to culture, country to country; one thing remans constant: there is always that one relative everyone wishes would not show. Whether it be the Aunt who drinks a little too much, the grandma who pinches a little too hard, or the cousin who gets way too heated over politics, we all have one and, unfortunately, we all have to deal with them. Lady Catherine de Bourgh from the classic novel Pride and Prejudice is that relative. Her ladyship surrounds herself with simpering servants to feel more important, enjoys giving unwanted, and often extremely cutting, advice, and exercises

Collins. In the beginning portion of the novel, Lady Catherine is only mentioned by Mr. Collins.. Mr. Collins details to the Bennet’s how he has never “witnessed such behavior in a person of rank — such affability and condescension…Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen any thing but affability in her…She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself, —some shelves in the closets up stairs.” (45). Since Mr. Collins “was…a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility” (47), it can be inferred that the majority of his claims regarding Lady Catherine are distorted and refined so only the best parts of his patroness are passed on. While dressing for dinner at Rosings, Lady Catherine’s estate, Mr. Collins advises his cousin Elizabeth that “Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.” (110). Just as Mr. Collins’ statement starts out well and ends with an insult, so does the majority of Lady Catherine’s dictations. This piece of advice also highlights how those

She micro-manages with her constant ‘advice’ and ‘constructive comments’. During Elizabeth’s first visit to Rosings, Lady Catherine interrogates Elizabeth about her family and societal connections. “Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions, but answers them very composedly.” (112). With her more gracious manner, Elizabeth tries to make the conversation less of an interrogation and more like actual small talk. However, when Elizabeth began to play more coy, “Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence.” (113). Used to being indulged, Lady Catherine has no idea how to deal with someone who does not automatically bow to her whims and fancies. Lady Catherine’s most astonishing attempt at control starts as “she entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious, made no other reply to Elizabeth’s salutation, than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word. Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother, on her ladyship’s entrance, though no request of introduction had been made.”(236). Lady Catherine received a letter in which speculation that Mr. Darcy may soon become engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet was written. Enraged at this prospect, the Lady stormed over to the Longbourn estate to make her sentiments known.