Final answer:
In 'Pride and Prejudice', Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Darcy's aunt, a character exemplifying the rigid class structures of the period.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Pride and Prejudice, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is Darcy's aunt. This character is pivotal in the novel as she represents the rigidity of class structure and societal expectations of the period. The prideful and opinionated Lady Catherine often tries to assert her influence over others, and her encounter with Elizabeth Bennet is a critical moment in the narrative where individual values clash with aristocratic expectations. Jane Austen uses characters like Lady Catherine to explore themes of social class, marriage, and morality in her celebrated novel.