Lady Middleton Character Analysis in Sense and Sensibility

Sir John’s elegant but (in Elinor and Marianne’s opinion) rather dull wife. She and her husband host many social events which Elinor and Marianne attend, but Lady Middleton does not particularly like the Dashwood sisters, since they don’t flatter her or her children. By contrast, she is very fond of the Steeles, who do flatter her.

Lady Middleton Character Timeline in Sense and Sensibility

The timeline below shows where the character Lady Middleton appears in Sense and Sensibility. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Character, Sense, and Sensibility Theme Icon

When the Dashwoods visited and met Lady Middleton , they saw that she was elegant and had good manners, but was cold and... (full context)

The Dashwoods went to dinner at Barton Park, where they were joined by Lady Middleton ’s mother, Mrs. Jennings, who was “a good-humoured, merry, fat, elderly woman, who talked a... (full context)

...was handsome and gentlemanly, but, at 35, old for a bachelor. The narrator says that Lady Middleton ’s boring character made Colonel Brandon and Sir John seem interesting by comparison. (full context)

...not feeling happy. She still missed Norland, and was fed up with the boringness of Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings. She enjoyed spending time only with Colonel Brandon, and developed compassion for... (full context)

That night, Sir John and Lady Middleton hosted a dance at Barton Park. Mrs. Jennings told Marianne she knew where she and... (full context)

One day, Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor, and Margaret went to visit Lady Middleton , leaving Marianne at home. When they got back, they saw Willoughby’s carriage outside. But... (full context)

One morning, Sir John and Lady Middleton , along with Mrs. Jennings came to Barton Cottage along with a gentleman and a... (full context)

...two young women, both relatives of Mrs. Jennings. They were fashionable, well-mannered, and fond of Lady Middleton ’s young children. (full context)

...manners showed they had some good sense, though she was annoyed by their fawning over Lady Middleton ’s children. (full context)

...in private. One night, though, Elinor was invited to dinner at Barton Park with just Lady Middleton , Mrs. Jennings, and the Steeles. (full context)

...Park, and after dinner Elinor offered to help Lucy with weaving something for one of Lady Middleton ’s children. Meanwhile, Marianne played piano, and this music offered enough cover for Elinor to... (full context)

Marianne and Elinor were invited to go to dinner with Lady Middleton and Sir John, and accepted the invitation. When the night of the dinner came, though,... (full context)

...came to see Marianne nor wrote her. Elinor and Marianne went to a party with Lady Middleton . Marianne was in a bad mood, as usual, but then she saw Willoughby across... (full context)

Marianne turned pale, and Elinor tried to advise her to maintain composure. They told Lady Middleton that Marianne was unwell, and they left the party. Marianne “was in a silent agony,”... (full context)

...to the Middletons, where “abundance of civilities passed on all sides.” John was delighted with Lady Middleton and Sir John, and was eager of introducing Fanny to them. He said that Fanny... (full context)

Fanny had Mrs. Jennings and Lady Middleton to her home the next day along with the Dashwood sisters, and liked both of... (full context)

After dinner, people talked about whether John’s son Harry or Lady Middleton ’s son William was taller. Elinor and Marianne were rather bored by this, and Marianne... (full context)

...Middletons and Steeles, as well, who did not particularly want to see the Dashwood sisters. Lady Middleton disliked them because they didn’t flatter her or her children. (full context)