Lady Catherine

Lady Catherine’s overbearing behavior proved to be a direct reflection of how highly she valued the ludicrous and absurd class system making her apathetic to the opinions of others.

If one were to approach Lady Catherine, it would not be out of the ordinary if she were to treat the person as if he were her footstool. Lady Catherine’s high ranking in the class system gave her the understanding that she may treat anyone as she pleased. This snobbish heiress assumed everyone would treat her with utmost reverence; however, Elizabeth shattered this fantasy after Lady Catherine attempted to discourage Darcy and Elizabeth’s engagement: “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” (Austen 165). Lady Catherine was not accustomed to having her judgment questioned, and often took it upon herself to inquire in an offensive manner about subject matters that were none of her business. Embodying the most perverse form of pomposity, she valued those who consistently flattered and praised her opinions regardless of if they were the most irrational and unfair remarks one has ever heard.

Lady Catherine is like a peacock. Just as Lady Catherine flaunts her affluence and high social status to maintain a sense of superiority, a peacock flares out brilliant tail feathers for all to see. It comes across as extremely ostentatious to such an extent that it belittles others around. With every strut, either a sense of jealousy or admiration is evoked through what or in Lady Catherine’s case, who, is around. Also, in order to obtain attention, a loud obnoxious cry is often emitted, which certainly applies to Lady Catherine’s consistent need to obnoxiously comment on what has absolutely nothing to do with her.

Arrogance is to Lady Catherine as egocentricity is to P Diddy in that both feel as though all must grovel for their approbation believing that whatever they say is law.