A summary of a novel provides a strong background for teachers and students. Using the highlights, it is easier for students to analyze the novel and for teachers to provide instruction. The brief summary can be used as it is, or extrapolated upon by either teachers or students as they read the novel.
Understanding the Purpose of Lady Susan
Lady Susan [from Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sanditon, Oxford University Press, 2008] was written in 1795 by Jane Austen as a series of letters. The main character, Susan Vernon is an anti-hero, unlike any of Austen's other main characters.
This 18th century short novel explores society behavior as Lady Susan, a recent widow, plots to find an advantageous marriage for herself while marrying her daughter off as well. Susan uses her cunning and beauty to beguile people, revealing her thoughts and motivations to her correspondent, Alicia Johnson.
Summary of the Letters in the First Half of Lady Susan
Letter 1: Lady Susan writes to her brother to accept a previous invitation to visit him. She says that the friends with whom she is currently staying are too social for her in her current state, which is that of a widow.
Letter 2: She writes to her confidant Alicia that even though she tried to be discreet, her flirtations were discovered and the women of the house where she was staying have turned against her.
Letter 3: Catherine Vernon, Lady Susan's sister-in-law, writes her mother regarding Susan's upcoming visit. Catherine is suspicious of Susan's motives.
Letter 4: Reginald de Courcy, Catherine Vernon's brother, writes to Catherine to congratulate her on receiving Lady Susan and relays some of her exploits. He adds that he will visit soon.
Letter 5: Lady Susan writes Alicia to say she has arrived at her brother's home in Churchill. Susan plans to win her brother and sister-in-law over through their children. She arranges for Alicia to be the go-between for her correspondence with Mr. Manwaring.
Letter 6: Catherine writes her brother Reginald, calling Lady Susan the "dangerous creature." Catherine can't believe her husband, Susan's brother, is so completely fooled by Susan.
Letter 7: Lady Susan writes Alicia, calling her daughter Frederica, stupid and worthless. Susan is planning to make Frederica so miserable that she will be happy to marry Sir James. Meanwhile, Susan is planning to entice Reginald to her side, considering it a challenge that he already dislikes her.
Letter 8: Catherine writes her mother to say Reginald will be staying with her for a while longer and that Lady Susan is succeeding in winning Reginald over, although Catherine hates to see him duped.
Letter 9: Alicia writes Lady Susan advising her to marry Reginald, because his father has a large estate and is dying. Alicia is promoting Sir James to Frederica to marry.
Letter 10: Lady Susan writes Alicia that she won't marry Reginald, although she delights in how she changed his mind towards her, without flirtation but with serious conversation. She says she could never care for a man who disliked her at the beginning as much as Reginald had.
Letter 11: Catherine writes her mother that Reginald has been bewitched by Susan's charms and should be called back home, and suggests using the reason of his father's ill-health.
Letter 12: Reginald and Catherine's father, Sir Reginald, writes to his son to warn him against Lady Susan and to ask why his opinion has changes so much regarding her.
Letter 13: Catherine's mother writes her to say that Sir Reginald read the letter from Catherine to her and knows about Reginald and Lady Susan and has written Reginald.
Letter 14: Reginald writes to his father to insist that he has no intention of marrying Lady Susan and his only interest is to converse with an intellectual woman.
Letter 15: Catherine writes her mother discussing Reginald and Lady Susan. She also relates that Frederica has attempted to run away from school and Charles Vernon is going to either see Frederica reinstated at school or will bring her back to Churchill.
Letter 16: Lady Susan writes Alicia about her horrid daughter running away and confides that she doesn't want Frederica at Churchill but would prefer her married to Sir James as punishment.
Letter 17: Catherine writes her mother that Charles has brought Frederica to Churchill. She believes that Susan cares nothing for Frederica, who seems to be a sweet girl who likes to read.
Letter 18: Catherine writes her mother that Frederica is a gentle, good-mannered girl, who seems to be very interested in Reginald. Catherine would support a match between Frederica and Reginald.
Letter 19: Lady Susan writes Alicia that Frederica ran away from school to keep from marrying Sir James. Meanwhile Frederica, is obviously enamored with Reginald who doesn't notice her at all.
Letter 20: Catherine writes her mother to tell of Sir James unexpected arrival at Churchill and the horrified reaction Frederica had. Susan pretends at great friendship with Catherine and seems to believe that Sir James is a perfect match for her daughter.
Letter 21: Frederica takes a risk and writes Reginald, begging for his help to keep her from having to marry Sir James.
Letter 22: Lady Susan writes Alicia that Sir James invited himself to Churchill for 3 days and that Frederica has told Reginald how she doesn't want to marry Sir James.
Using the Summary for Analysis of Lady Susan
The summary is useful for providing a framework of events. While learning new vocabulary, exploring the themes and locating quotes, the summary can help narrow down the location of various passages in the novel. As an example, if a student wished to participate in a discussion or write on the theme of first impressions and whether they are valid, finding examples would make the analysis easier.
It can be a worthwhile writing project for students to elaborate on the summary to include pertinent or interesting details. The novel continues with letters 23-41 and a conclusion.
Angela Kleinow - I graduated from the University of Michigan, where I focused on Science Fiction and Fantasy for my senior seminar while working with the ...
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