Lady Susan, written by Jane Austen in 1793, is often considered to be one of the earliest examples of a novel It tells the story of a young widow, Lady Susan Vernon, and her attempts at securing a husband for herself, as well as a match for her daughter, Frederica.
The novel starts with Lady Susan, a woman of beauty and charm, visiting her brother-in-law and his wife, the Charles Vernon’s, at their estate in order to escape her many admirers. Though she is known to be a scandalous flirt, Lady Susan quickly finds more admirers in their home, vying for her attention and affection. In order to secure both a husband for herself and Frederica, Lady Susan manipulates the affections of both the men and women around her in order to achieve her desired outcomes.
Lady Susan is a complex and interesting character, and its blend of romance, comedy and social satire make it an excellent topic for essay writing. Here are five of the best essay topics about Lady Susan that can be used for essays and papers.
1. What is the relevance of Lady Susan today? This essay topic can be used to discuss why Lady Susan is a relevant read for modern readers, and how the themes present in the novel, such as marriage and courtship, are still applicable to today’s society. It could also discuss how Lady Susan’s behavior as a woman of charm and wit may have been groundbreaking in the early 19th century, and how it still has an important role today.
2. What are the roles of men and women in Lady Susan? This essay could discuss how the traditional roles of men and women were presented in the novel, and how Lady Susan’s manipulation of these roles ultimately leads to her own downfall. It could also address how these gender roles were challenged and explored in the novel, as well as the implications of this for today’s society.
3. Analyzing the characters of Lady Susan and Frederica Vernon. This essay could discuss the similarities and differences between the two female characters—Lady Susan and Frederica—and how each of them uses manipulation and charm to achieve their desired outcomes. It could also address how the two characters’ views on love and marriage differ, and how this impacts their decisions and behavior.
4. How does Lady Susan challenge the norms of courtship and marriage? This essay could analyze how Lady Susan’s actions challenge the traditional norms of courtship and marriage in the early 19th century. It could also discuss how Lady Susan’s behaviour has had an impact on both men and women in the novel and in society today.
5. Analyzing Lady Susan’s use of language. This essay could discuss Lady Susan’s use of language as a tool for manipulation, as well as how it is used to shape her identity as a woman of wit and charm. It could also discuss how Lady Susan’s language differs from conventional 19th century standards, and how this impacted her relationships with others in the novel.