Catherine Bennet

Also known as: Catherine / Kitty / Kitty Bennet / one of the two girls / the youngest of her daughters / your three younger sisters · Family: Bennet · Role: daughter · First appears: Chapter 2

In chapter 2, Mr. Bennet remarks that ““Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father;” while Mrs. Bennet scolds her for coughing. Catherine and her sisters—Elizabeth Bennet, Mary Bennet, and Lydia Bennet—stare at their father, and in chapter 3 she joins Jane Bennet and the other sisters in drawing a description of Mr. Bingley from him. By chapter 7, Catherine and her sisters regularly visit their aunt and uncle, Mrs. Philips and Mr. Philips, while in chapter 13 Mr. Collins arrives at Longbourn and addresses the Bennet daughters as his fair cousins, declaring that he is prepared to admire them.

In chapter 17, Catherine is among the Bennet family connected with the long-expected ball at Netherfield, for which Charles Bingley and his sisters give their personal invitation; the same chapter places her in the family discussion surrounding George Wickham. Later, after the events concerning Lydia and the officers, Catherine recovers enough by the middle of June to enter Meryton without tears. At Longbourn, Mr. Bennet then forbids officers from entering the house, restricts balls unless she stands with a sister, and requires her to spend time each day in a rational manner.

By chapter 61, Catherine has changed after spending more time with her elder sisters and away from Lydia Bennet: “removed from the influence of Lydia’s example, she became, by proper attention and management, less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid.”