"She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her her authoriative manner, and the rest from pride of her nephew, who chuses that every one connected with him should have an understanding of first class" (Chapter 16, pages 82: Penguin Classics).
In this quote we get Mr. Wickam's perspective of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, which is completely different than Mr. Collins' perspective. I find it interesting that Mr. Wickam uses words such as authoriative, first class, and rank and fortune, yet Mr. Collins says she is a classy women who happens to be "of a distinguised birth" and fails to abuse her power (Chpater 14. pages 66: Penguin Classics). I believe this is the first time in the novel where a character's rank is questioned, unlike that of Mr. Darcy. Everyone knows that Mr. Darcy is arrogant, but most of the characters believe he is arrogant all the time, when Mr. Wickam goes onto describe that Mr. Darcy's "pride never deserts him; but with the rich, he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable,--allowing for fortune and figure" (Chapter 16, pages 81: Penguin Classics). I believe that this is the first instance where we see rank through a different perspective, the perspective of Mr. Wickam, giving us more insight about how he views the world and how rank personally effects him.
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Just to add on a bit...
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is true that Lady Catherine does not truly abuse the power of her higher societal standing, she isn't always painted as a picture of perfection. Characters like Mr. Collins believe she can do no wrong, but her overly critical manner, extreme arrogance, self-centered air and obsession with social class do not make her likeable to all.