Write the character sketch of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice.

The easiest way to do this kind of assignment is review
each of the scenes where she is present.  There are two in particular that give the best
picture of her character:  the first dinner party at Rosings and her visit to Elizabeth
at the end of the novel.

Even before these scenes, her
characterization is drawn through Mr. Collins' talking about her.  He reveals that she
is very wealthy and his patron, but we also learn that she is incredibly arrogant and
controlling.  Collins actually states in his failed proposal to Elizabeth that he is
getting married because Lady Catherine told him he should. 
Wow!

Once Elizabeth actually meets her, we get the full
picture and it is exactly as we expected.  Lady Catherine is extremely proud,
self-centered, and arrogant.  She shows no qualms about questioning and passing
judgement on nearly every aspect of Elizabeth's upbringing -- she looks down on her for
not having a governess; she can't believe there are five daughters all "out" at the same
time; she is critical of Elizabeth's musical talents.  Elizabeth handles it all with an
admirable aplomb, but we are left with a distinct dislike of Lady C.  She seems to just
believe she lives in a world were people of her class get to make all the rules and
there is no thought that those beneath her socially can have any significant
value. 

This is made even more evident when she confronts
Elizabeth at the end of the novel and tells her, point blank, that she is not allowed to
marry Darcy.  She really has no place to tell Elizabeth, much less Darcy, how to live
their lives, but she also has no reservations in making her comments.  Elizabeth will
not give her the satisfaction of agreeing with her or even saying anything specific
about how she feels about Darcy.  Remember, at the this point Elizabeth has little idea
of how Darcy feels about her and is not all that hopeful that they will end up
together.  She takes her stand merely on principle!  That is why we cheer on Elizabeth
and love that Lady Catherine fails and is put her place by the daring heroine of the
novel.