Pride and Prejudice · Character

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

A titled autocrat who rules her parish, her sickly daughter, and Mr. Collins's every opinion, she treats rank as a license to instruct the world.

supporting

Also known as Catherine de Bourgh, Lady Catherine, de Bourgh

First appearance: Chapter XXIX

As a supporting figure in Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Chapter XXIX Book page

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Lady Catherine de Bourgh commands Rosings with the confidence of someone who has never been contradicted, dispensing patronage to Mr. Collins and opinions to everyone else. Her insistence on the distinction of rank—and her plans for Darcy to marry her daughter—make her a walking embodiment of the class barriers the novel probes. Her invitations and interrogations give Elizabeth a stage on which to display her wit and independence.

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See Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Chapter XXIX

Character Web

23 connections

A slice of how Lady Catherine de Bourgh sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Major Characters and Key Allies
Minor Characters and Background Figures
Protagonist

+18 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, Elizabeth reaches the emotional peak of her internal conflict as she transitions from agitation…

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Relationships

Elizabeth Bennet
rivalry · negative
Lady Catherine attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but Elizabeth… How this plays out →
Mr. Collins
professional · positive
Mrs. Bennet
social · negative
Elizabeth Bennet
rivalry · negative
Lady Catherine attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but Elizabeth… How this plays out →
Mrs. Bennet
social · negative
Mr. Collins
professional · positive
Elizabeth Bennet
rivalry · negative
Lady Catherine attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but Elizabeth… How this plays out →
Mr. Collins
professional · positive
Mrs. Bennet
social · negative

Elizabeth Bennet
Lady Catherine attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but Elizabeth defiantly stands her ground.
Mr. Collins
Mr. Collins is Lady Catherine's obsequious, fawning clergyman, constantly praising her patronage.
Mrs. Bennet
Lady Catherine looks down on Mrs. Bennet's low social standing and vulgarity, treating her with contempt.
Elizabeth Bennet
Lady Catherine attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but Elizabeth defiantly stands her ground.
Mrs. Bennet
Lady Catherine looks down on Mrs. Bennet's low social standing and vulgarity, treating her with contempt.
Mr. Collins
Mr. Collins is Lady Catherine's obsequious, fawning clergyman, constantly praising her patronage.
Elizabeth Bennet
Lady Catherine attempts to intimidate Elizabeth into rejecting Darcy, but Elizabeth defiantly stands her ground.
Mr. Collins
Mr. Collins is Lady Catherine's obsequious, fawning clergyman, constantly praising her patronage.
Mrs. Bennet
Lady Catherine looks down on Mrs. Bennet's low social standing and vulgarity, treating her with contempt.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Chapter XXIX

In the story

Lady Catherine de Bourgh appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XVI
Mentioned as Mr. Collins's patroness and as the aunt of Mr. Darcy; Wickham describes her as arrogant and dictatorial.
Chapter XIX
Referenced by Mr. Collins as his patroness who advised him to marry and as a future connection for Elizabeth.
Chapter XXIX
Hosts the dinner at Rosings, displaying an authoritative and self-important manner, questioning Elizabeth about her family and offering unsolicited advice.
Elizabeth's Visit to Hunsford
Active magistrate in her parish; frequently visits the Parsonage and scrutinizes the household.
Chapter XXXI
Dominates the conversation, criticizes Elizabeth's playing, praises her own daughter Anne, and displays ill breeding that embarrasses Darcy.
Chapter XXXVII
Dominates the final days at Rosings with inquiries and directives, oblivious to Elizabeth's inner turmoil.
Chapter LVI
Confronts Elizabeth about the rumored engagement to Mr. Darcy, insisting on her nephew's prior claim to her daughter.
Chapter LVII
Visited Longbourn to oppose the rumored engagement; Elizabeth worries about her influence on Darcy.
Chapter LVIII
Her visit to Longbourn and subsequent report to Darcy inadvertently leads him to hope for Elizabeth's acceptance.
LXI
Indignant at the marriage but eventually reconciles and visits Pemberley.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Chapter XXIX