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Lady Susan in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Lady Susan Vernon
Reginald De Courcy
Catherine Vernon
Frederica Vernon
Sir James Martin
1. Lady Susans Arrival
2. The Matchmaking Begins
3. Scheming and Deception
4. Romantic Entanglements
5. Fredericas Rebellion
6. The De Courcy Familys Concerns
7. Revelations and Confrontations
8. The Aftermath of Lady Susans Actions
9. Redemption and Resolution
10. The Legacy of Lady Susan
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- What: Jane Austen’s ‘Lady Susan’
- When: Written in the late 18th century
- Who: Lady Susan Vernon
- Theme: Manipulation and deceit in relationships
List of Characters in Lady Susan
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Lady Susan Vernon
Lady Susan Vernon is a charming but manipulative widow who schemes to secure advantageous marriages for herself and her daughter.
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Reginald De Courcy
Reginald De Courcy is a handsome and wealthy young man who becomes entangled in Lady Susan's web of deceit.
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Catherine Vernon
Catherine Vernon is Lady Susan's sister-in-law who disapproves of her behavior but cannot control her.
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Sir James Martin
Sir James Martin is a wealthy but foolish suitor who is manipulated by Lady Susan for his money.
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Frederica Vernon
Frederica Vernon is Lady Susan's shy and timid daughter who is caught in the middle of her mother's schemes.
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Mrs. Johnson
Mrs. Johnson is an acquaintance of Lady Susan who assists her in her machinations.
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Mr. De Courcy
Mr. De Courcy is Reginald's sensible and honorable older brother who sees through Lady Susan's facade.
Timeline of Lady Susan
Lady Susan Vernon moves to Churchill
Lady Susan meets Sir James Martin
Lady Susan's friend, Mrs. Johnson, writes to Lady Susan about her daughter Frederica
Lady Susan encourages Mrs. Johnson to send Frederica to Churchill
Lady Susan plans to marry Frederica off to Sir James Martin, despite Frederica's objections
Reginald De Courcy arrives at Churchill and is introduced to Lady Susan
Lady Susan flirts with Reginald and tries to win him over
Frederica arrives at Churchill and is introduced to Lady Susan
Frederica confides in Reginald about her dislike for Sir James Martin
Reginald becomes more interested in Frederica and less interested in Lady Susan
Lady Susan tries to sabotage Frederica and Reginald's growing relationship
Lady Susan's true nature is revealed to Reginald through letters and conversations
Reginald breaks off his relationship with Lady Susan
Lady Susan leaves Churchill and goes to London
Lady Susan's reputation is ruined
Reginald and Frederica become engaged
Vocabulary List
- Lord Manwaring
- A wealthy nobleman who Lady Susan is rumored to have an affair with
- Coquetry
- The act of flirtation or seductive behavior
- Solicitude
- Showing concern or care for someone's well-being
- Censure
- Strong criticism or disapproval
- Impertinence
- Lack of respect or rudeness
- Insipidity
- Lack of flavor or interest
- Perplexity
- Confusion or uncertainty
- Impute
- To attribute or ascribe something to someone
- Pique
- A feeling of irritation or resentment
- Insolent
- Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
- Incredulous
- Unwilling or unable to believe something
- Circumspection
- The quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks
- Sagacity
- Having good judgment or wisdom
- Affectation
- Artificial behavior or pretense
- Insidious
- Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way but with harmful effects
- Deference
- Polite submission and respect
- Incumbent
- Necessary as a duty or responsibility
- Inscrutable
- Difficult to understand or interpret
- Fastidious
- Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
- Intrigue
- A secret or underhanded scheme
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- - Lady Susan is an epistolary novel written by Jane Austen.
- - The story revolves around Lady Susan Vernon, a beautiful and cunning widow.
- - Lady Susan is known for her manipulative and flirtatious nature.
- - The novel is primarily composed of letters exchanged between the characters.
- - Lady Susan seeks advantageous marriages for both herself and her daughter, Frederica.
- - Lady Susan's primary target is Reginald De Courcy, the brother of her sister-in-law.
- - Reginald initially falls under Lady Susan's charm but later realizes her true nature.
- - Lady Susan's daughter, Frederica, is opposed to her mother's matchmaking schemes.
- - Frederica is a shy and virtuous young woman who becomes a pawn in Lady Susan's plans.
- - Lady Susan's closest confidante is Mrs. Alicia Johnson, a friend who aids her in her schemes.
- - Mrs. Johnson is married to Mr. Johnson, a man who is often absent and unaware of his wife's involvement.
- - Lady Susan's reputation precedes her, and many are aware of her manipulative ways.
- - The novel explores themes of deceit, love, and societal expectations.
- - Lady Susan's behavior challenges traditional gender roles and expectations of women.
- - The letters in the novel provide insights into the thoughts and perspectives of various characters.
- - Lady Susan's true nature is gradually revealed through the letters exchanged.
- - The novel presents a satirical critique of the upper-class society of the time.
- - Jane Austen wrote Lady Susan when she was approximately 19 years old.
- - The novel was not published during Austen's lifetime and was first released in 1871, over fifty years after her death.
Analysis & Significance
Impact on Literature
‘Lady Susan’ by Jane Austen is a lesser-known work that showcases the author’s mastery of wit and storytelling. Despite being written in the epistolary form, it still manages to captivate readers with its sharp dialogue and complex characters. The novella foreshadows Austen’s later works and highlights her ability to delve into the intricacies of human nature and societal norms.
Enduring Themes
The themes of manipulation, love, and societal expectations explored in ‘Lady Susan’ are still relevant in today’s society. The character of Lady Susan, a cunning and unapologetic widow who uses her charm to achieve her goals, resonates with modern audiences who are fascinated by strong, complex female characters. The novella’s exploration of power dynamics and social manners continues to be timeless.
Cultural Significance Today
Although ‘Lady Susan’ may not be as well-known as Austen’s other works, it has left a lasting impact on literature. The novella has been adapted into various formats, including film and television, showcasing its enduring appeal. Its exploration of female agency and societal constraints continues to be relevant in today’s discussions on gender roles and expectations.
Lady Susan Games
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