Essay : The Undoing Of Lady Catherine De Bourgh

The culture of set societal rules and conventions urges Catherine to be with Edgar, compelling her to be ‘the greatest woman of the neighbourhood’ due to them being relatively firm in their gentry’s status. This suggests the importance of her social status against the nature of her love for Heathcliff stating, ‘we would be beggars’, through employing the word ‘beggars’ the reader crafts the idea of her belief that she won’t survive without her status. Catherine admits ‘It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him’ Thus implying a swelling sense of her vanity and pride; enough to enjoy the position she gains from being married to Edgar despite her admiration for Heathcliff, being ‘more than (herself) than (she is)’and

The first paragraph of the first chapter in the novel uses subtle Irony to depict to the reader what Catherine Moorland was not. Catherine was not a girl with extraordinary beauty and ability of a classic romantic heroine, but an ordinary girl who may possibly lack extraordinary beauty and ability. In the novel, Catherine travels to Bath where she comes into contact with silly and tasteless people, the Thorpes. This contrast makes Catherine shine brighter. Catherine also comes into contact with the Tilneys, who were educated, well-bred people with a sense of humor. Their influence helps Catherine to develop into a sensible character, relieved of romantic notions, to become a charming wife for Henry Tilney.

Catherine is forced to do lady tasks that she thinks are unbearable. "I can stand no more of lady-tasks, endless mindless sewing, hemming, and doctoring" (10). This quote shows

Catherine’s character was displayed very differently as the woman during that era. This is because, in the novel, Catherine did not care she was a female she still played around recklessly with Heathcliff. And because these two grew up playing with each other they develop very strong bonds and ended up falling in love. However, her father did not like the idea of his daughter falling in love with a Heathcliff mainly because he was poor, uneducated, and black. In the story, he says “she was much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him,” (Bonte, pg.35). Because of this Catherine started to change and was now displayed a woman in the upper-class society of the Victorian

Another aspect which is relevant today and forever it shall remain relevant is selfishness. Catherine's selfish character was depicted when she wanted both Edgar and Heathcliff at the same time. In the beginning, she was introduced as a 'high spirited' character who was wild. However, she drastically changes throughout the book. When she hurts her leg and is forced to stay at Thrushcross Grange, she returns to Wuthering Heights as a well dressed and dignified lady. She was easily swayed to the superior lifestyle of the Lintons and began to look down upon Heathcliff. She even laughs at his rough and dirty appearance and says "I didn't mean to laugh at you. I could not hinder myself Heathcliff. Shake hands at least! What are you sulky for? It was only that you looked odd. If you wash you face and brush your hair, it would be alright. But you are

Soon after her own arrival in Bath, Catherine is followed by her brother James and Isabella’s brother John Thorpe. At the initial meeting with the boys, Catherine is mistaken on two different points, still being ignorant in her perceptions of other people. Although slightly thrown off by John’s manners, Catherine is unable to formulate her own negative opinion of him, too affected by the opinions of Isabella and James, and “her judgment was further brought off by Isabella’s assuring her…that John thought her the most charming girl in the world” (Austen 48). For Catherine, it is easier and more natural to accept the opinions of someone like Isabella, a mentor figure. Also, in the same scene, Catherine makes the assumption that her brother James has journeyed “so far on purpose to see me” (49). Catherine hastily jumps to this false conclusion, not having the experience to detect James’ continuous questions and compliments of Isabella as a sign of his true motives for coming to town: to visit the “prettiest girl in Bath” (49).

In Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, the author uses Lady Catherine de Bourgh's actions and dialogue to suggest her high social class. From the moment Lady Catherine is introduced into the novel, she is described as speaking "in so authoritative a tone" which "marked her self-importance", viewing herself above her company before she even knows them (Austen 110). During the visit to Rosings Park, Lady Catherine's grand estate, the ladies find themselves listening to Lady Catherine not only "delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgement contradicted" but also digging into Charlotte Lucas's personal life and "[giving] her a great deal of advice, as to the management

Firstly, Jane Austen interests us in Catherine by using strong language for Catherine's character. On page 80, at the

Mr. Wickham, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Bingley were all members of different classes, had different wealths, and had different attitudes, concluding that wealth should not determine rank. Jane Austen portrayed each character as their own individual, not all members of the upper class were sincere, they were just rich. Jane Austen uses, George Wickham, Lady Catherine De Bourgh, and Charles Bingley, to demonstrate that wealth is not a suitable indication of rank and therefore one's actions should determine rank. Jane Austen proved that wealth is very powerful, and when used wisely can do a lot, however wealth can easily bring out the worst in someone therefore it should not define one’s rank.

In Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, the character Lady Catherine De Bourgh is portrayed to be supercilious and domineering through her actions, dialogue, and appearance. Lady Catherine’s appearance of being supercilious and uncongenial is represented by her “authoritative tone” and unfriendly appearance. People in positions of authority often view themselves as superior to others. Lady Catherine is unfriendly because she believes herself to be above everyone and does not want to associate with people below her in rank. Lady Catherine’s pride is also revealed when she states “Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to — You shall try it someday.” Her words are representative of a woman who believes she and her belongings are

Catherine is a very imaginative girl who creates stories and fantasies in her head. She was described in the beginning of the novel as having a hard time learning yet as she got older she became an avid reader. She loves to read Gothic novels and her favorite novel is Anne Radcliff’s The Mysteries of Udolpho. As many of you know Northanger Abbey is a parody of The Mysteries of Udolpho. Radcliff was the most famous woman author of Gothic novels at the time. The Gothic novels were thought to be for a lower class because of their gore and horror. In Chapter five Austen gives a defense of reading novels and not letting reviewers influence the readers. Austen has the narrator speak directly to the reader in order to get her stance across.

The relationships between Catherine and the other vary greatly. A large amount of the relationships and how she goes about them can be tied to the overwhelming isolationism she faces throughout this Victorian Era novel. This is shown by how she

Jane Austen often receives praise for her ability to develop characters. She wrote women with true personalities, flaws, and motivations. Lady Catherine De Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice is no exception. Austen portrays Lady Catherine De Bourgh as a woman of strong opinions through dialogue and narrative perspective.

In the novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin uses Lady Catherine de Bourgh's character to establish the difference in nature based on social class. During this time, wealth all but ruled society and those with generous salaries were held far above those not so lucky. Lady Catherine is a woman of high society, good fortune, looked upon by many in awe, and she is well aware. She feels as if she is superior to those of Elizabeth's family' class, and believes she deserves all the attention. When Elizabeth first met her, she talked constantly, "delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controvert", because in her head she had no reason to think otherwise (Austen 111).

She truly has a split personality and a constant battle between society and her true identity. Her true self represents Wuthering Heights, while her desired self represents Thrushcross Grange. One way she shows traits reflecting both houses is her appearance. When she is her true self, she can be the quintessence of a tomboy, a messy, not-bathing individual. Wuthering Heights is similar because over time it doesn’t get kept up nicely; it is always a mess there. On the other hand, Catherine when she feels the need to