Lady Susan

Social status represents one of the paramount markers of an individual’s character within the novella. Austen divides social status into two specific yet interrelated categories: appearance—how other people perceive you as well as one’s exterior life—and wealth. Susan’s artifice results from the fact that she has no wealth and the only social capital she possesses is due entirely to her appearance. Susan knows that she must marry to attain the social standing that she desires, leading to the series of conflicts in the novella. Every action and plot that Susan undertakes is to elevate her social status; she even sends Frederica to a school in London that she cannot afford in the hopes that Frederica will meet connections there to advance Susan’s social status. When Susan writes to Alicia, she admits Frederica “will make good connections there, as the girls are all of the best families. The price is immense, and much beyond what I can ever attempt to pay” (6). In terms of social status, Susan only has her appearance and the appearance of her station to use as currency. She hopes that Frederica will connect with the best families at this school even though it may bankrupt Susan in the process.

Austen also aligns social status and wealth with morality, suggesting that the better one is perceived by one’s peers—either due to wealth or appearance—the better one is. This viewpoint demonstrates the shallow nature inherent within 18th century society, wherein external perception was deemed the most important aspect of a person’s character. The importance placed on perception then necessitates those without such wealth to use deception to elevate themselves, rendering artifice as Susan’s sole method for achieving a financially secure future.

Most of the events of the novella take place in the Vernon country home, away from the bustle of London. For Lady Susan, who thrives on the drama associated with London society, the Vernon house in Churchill represents both exile and escape. She writes to Alicia: “I take town in my way to that insupportable spot, a country village, for I am really going to Churchill. Forgive me, my dear friend, it is my last resource. Were there another place in England open to me, I would prefer it” (6). Susan must flee from the chaos she has caused at the Manwaring house, using the Vernon house in Churchill as a means to escape. Through her actions, especially her flirtations with Mr. Manwaring, Susan has burned many bridges and so must rely on the goodwill of the Vernon family. However, Susan believes that although the Vernons are incredibly wealthy, they do not know how to use their wealth, as evidenced from the fact that they live in the country and rarely venture into the city:

Charles is very rich I am sure; when a man has once got his name in a banking house he rolls in money. But they do not know what to do with their fortune, keep very little company, and never go to town but on business. We shall be as stupid as possible (11).

Susan sees the Churchill estates as entirely separate from the social ladder climbing of London society. In the Vernons, she sees people who do not know how to use their wealth to have fun, but prefer the slower paced country life, which she abhors. There is an evident contrast between the fast-paced London life and the more romantic tenderheartedness of the country, wherein Susan seeks to cultivate a relationship with Reginald to achieve the same ends she sought in London. Country life—and the relationships therein—take a much slower pace than the presumably adulterous relationship she engaged in when she resided at the Manwarings. This sluggish country life does not appeal to Susan, and she describes Churchill as her “ten week’s penance” (62), presumably for the sins she committed while in London. Susan makes explicit to Alicia that while Churchill represents an escape from the chaos of London, it more aptly represents her exile from London society; Susan would prefer to stay within the dramatic intrigue she has wrought in Town than be relegated to the middle of nowhere with nothing to do except exchange pleasantries with the utterly dull Vernons.