Of the many characters that Jane Austen introduces in her novel Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is defintely not one of the nicest. She is very rich, but she also seems to have all the worst characteristics that people might associate with the rich: she is proud for no good reason; she is arrogant and speaks very rudely to other people; she is demanding and pushy; and she uses her wealth and position to intimidate other people. Not only does she have these faults, but she is also a very stupid woman. It is perhaps fitting that Mr Collins, who "was favoured by nature" with "stupidity" (p.93) is her admiring next door neighbour.
Still, I like her. She is so awful all the time, and so hopelessly ignorant of her own ignorance and awfulness, that she is almost funny. I don't think she ever says a single kind word to or about anyone. And some of her comments really are as stupid as anything that Mr. Collins might say, for example when she says in all seriousness that had she ever learnt to play the piano that she would be "a great proficient". Equally funy is that the only people who are actually impressed by her are those with no taste and little manners: Mr Collins, Sir William Lucas, and a few other snobs. It is clear that Darcy doesn't have any much better opinion of his aunt than Lizie does.
She is just right to show off the virtues of others, bring out the worst in some, and generally contribute to the story and the cast.
I like her quite well enough.
References
Austen, J. & Stafford, F. (2004). Pride and Prejudice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Still, I like her. She is so awful all the time, and so hopelessly ignorant of her own ignorance and awfulness, that she is almost funny. I don't think she ever says a single kind word to or about anyone. And some of her comments really are as stupid as anything that Mr. Collins might say, for example when she says in all seriousness that had she ever learnt to play the piano that she would be "a great proficient". Equally funy is that the only people who are actually impressed by her are those with no taste and little manners: Mr Collins, Sir William Lucas, and a few other snobs. It is clear that Darcy doesn't have any much better opinion of his aunt than Lizie does.
She is just right to show off the virtues of others, bring out the worst in some, and generally contribute to the story and the cast.
I like her quite well enough.
References
Austen, J. & Stafford, F. (2004). Pride and Prejudice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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