Artful Lizzy Bennet, by Jane Austen

Portrait of a Lady, by Thomas Lawrence.

By Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), © Sailko, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0.

An unidentified lady, painted by Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) in the 1790s. Lady Catherine argues her case from a position of authority and rights: she is Lizzie’s social superior, she is Darcy’s aunt, and her rules govern the discussion. Elizabeth does not allow her ladyship to dominate the high ground. She deftly manoeuvres her down onto a quicksand where social or family status gives no support, but Elizabeth can remain standing firmly on her own principles. Now it is Lady Catherine who must now justify herself before Elizabeth, and very quickly we realise that her case has no merit.

Artful Lizzy Bennet

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“It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of his reason. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You may have drawn him in.”

“If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.”

“Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns.”

“But you are not entitled to know mine; nor will such behaviour as this, ever induce me to be explicit.”

“Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say?”

“Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will make an offer to me.”

Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment.

by Jane Austen 1775-1817

From ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1813), by Jane Austen (1775-1817).

Précis

Lady Catherine now indicates Elizabeth may have bewitched Mr Darcy, and claims a right to intervene in her nephew’s affairs. But no kinship gives her ladyship a right over Elizabeth, comes the reply. Lady Catherine now declares that Darcy is engaged to her own daughter, but were that true, Elizabeth says, they would not be having the discussion.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate her ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

In Lady Catherine’s opinion, why might Mr Darcy have made the foolish proposal?

Suggestion

Because Elizabeth had managed to bewitch him.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

He won’t propose to me. He is engaged to your daughter. So you say.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IExpect. IIIf. IIITrue.

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