# Lady Middleton — Sense and Sensibility character guide

> Lady Middleton in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Middleton

**First appearance:** 0005-vi

## Snapshot

Sir John's elegant, reserved wife, whose cold insipidity and devotion to her children make her a beautiful blank at the center of every gathering.

## Who they are

Lady Middleton is the mistress of Barton Park, handsome and graceful but with nothing to say beyond the most commonplace remark. She is roused to enjoyment only by her four noisy children, who pull her about and end all conversation; she calls her husband to order over music she long ago gave up playing. Her coldness is so repulsive that even Colonel Brandon's gravity and Mrs. Jennings's boisterous mirth seem interesting beside it, and she embodies the polished emptiness the Dashwood sisters must navigate.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/vi)

Pays a formal visit; elegant but reserved and cold in manner.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xi)

Described as insipid and reserved, she contributes little to conversation and is chiefly occupied with her children.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xii)

Lady Middleton interrupts the teasing about Elinor by observing that it rained hard, likely due to her dislike of inelegant subjects.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxi)

Lady Middleton is easily won over by the Miss Steeles' flattery of her children, and she dotes on them with maternal complacency.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxiii)

Hosts the dinner party, proposes card games, and is concerned about her daughter's filigree basket.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxviii)

Hosts the party and later agrees to take the Dashwoods home when Marianne becomes unwell.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Receives John Dashwood's visit; he finds her elegant and fashionable.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Does not genuinely like Elinor and Marianne; feels restrained by their presence and prefers Lucy Steele's flattery.

## Links

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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters