Elizabeth In Pride And Prejudice

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine’s appearance, actions and speech exhibit her supercilious and domineering behavior. She is described as a “tall large women, with strongly marked features,” whose “air was not conciliating.” Lady Catherine’s tall stature symbolizes her judgement of looking down at others of inferior rank, and her appearance gives of an unfriendly feeling, immediately making those around her insecure. She begins to interrogate Elizabeth with invasive questions on Elizabeth’s personal matters, when Elizabeth responds that she can play the piano and sing, Ms. DeBourgh takes the chance to say, “Our instrument is capital one probably superior to—. “Ms. De Bourgh tactfully stops mid- sentence aware that Elizabeth has received the message-without even knowing the piano the Bennet’s own, she assumes her piano is of higher quality, displaying her contempt for Elizabeth’s social status.
After asking many questions, Elizabeth gets fed up, and starts answering in short, but smart remarks to her questions, to this attitude change, Lady Catherine responds, “You [Elizabeth] give your opinion very decidedly for such a young person.” Lady Catherine is shocked to discover that Elizabeth isn’t amiable of her wealth and doesn’t offer the respect that those of inferior rank display to her. During the game of quadrille, Lady Catherine begins to state, “the mistakes of the three others.” She is so prideful, she believes she is without flaw and that her moral duty is to correct those who are