VOUCHSAFED
She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself, — some shelves in the closets up stairs.The Narrator on Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Pride & Prejudice Chapter 14
Group sigh – – roll eyes upward! Shelves in the closet? Really Lady Catherine. Talk about micro-managing!!!
Jane Austen has created one the most memorable antagonist to ever make herself officious. Is Austen making a statement through the character of Lady Catherine de Bourgh about the importance of social strata in Regency England, or is she mocking the declining aristocracy and their projected self importance?
Lady Catherine’s attention to every trifiling detail of her parishioners is both humourous and alarming. Shall we intervene, and sallie her forth into therapy and vouchsafed her treatment?
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