#illbred

[yesterdaysprint]

The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, 1873

[straightouttalongbourn]

Such as Mrs. Elton appeared to her on this second interview, such she appeared whenever they met again, --self-important, presuming, familiar, ignorant, and ill-bred. She had a little beauty and a little accomplishment, but so little judgment that she thought herself coming with superior knowledge of the world, to enliven and improve a country neighborhood; and conceived Miss Hawkins to have held such a place in society as Mrs. Elton's consequence only could surpass.

Jane Austen’s Emma, Ch. 15, Vol. II, pg. 261

Austen is not very kind to Mrs. Elton’s character.  In fact, Mrs. Elton’s behavior and manners seem to align with those of Mrs. Bennet, another character that is highly ridiculed and criticized by the narrator in Pride & Prejudice. Like Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Elton is described as an “ill-bred,” uneducated, “silly” woman whose character is judged mainly by her class and etiquette, as she conveys no “superior knowledge” and is considered by Emma to be intolerable. Poor Mrs. Elton!