Showing results for title "Lady Susan", by author "Jane Austen" in World Literature

Lady Susan is an early epistolary novel by Jane Austen, which was written in 1794 but was not published until 1871, after Austen's death. The novel follows the story of the manipulative and charming Lady Susan Vernon, who is recently widowed and seeks to secure a wealthy husband for herself and a suitable match for her daughter. Lady Susan is known for her wit and intelligence but also for her moral ambiguity, as she employs deception and manipulation to achieve her goals. The novel explores themes of social norms, gender roles, and the consequences of selfish behavior.

Lady Susan Vernon, middle-aged and recently widowed, has retained her looks and appealing vivacity. She makes use of her bereavement and her loss of wealth by imposing herself on the hospitality of relatives, and by amusing herself in flirtation with the various men who fall under her spell. Lady Susan has a daughter, Frederica, who is bashful and innocent—in stark contrast to her unfeeling and manipulative mother. Her mother is anxious to marry Frederica off to a spouse of appropriate wealth and social standing, and also, perhaps, to capture a new mate for herself.

Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel by Jane Austen, possibly written in 1794 but not published until 1871. Lady Susan Vernon, a beautiful and charming recent widow, visits her brother- and sister-in-law, Charles and Catherine Vernon, with little advance notice at Churchill, their country residence. Catherine is far from pleased, as Lady Susan had tried to prevent her marriage to Charles and her unwanted guest has been described to her as "the most accomplished coquette in England". Among Lady Susan's conquests is the married Mr. Manwaring.