Oppression Of Truth In Lady Susan By Jane Austen

In the novella, Lady Susan by Jane Austen, the format of the story gives the reader various perspectives from different characters, which in turn creates a guarded relationship between each character throughout the story. As the reader, it is difficult to know who is telling the truth because everyone in the novella is telling their own reality through the letters and that forces us to decide who to trust. The constant manipulation of characters through the story create tension between individuals. Lady Susan is the foundation of these problems which surface throughout the novella. In the letter between Mr. De Courcy and his father, Mr. De Courcy discusses recently developed feelings towards the rumors which have surrounded Lady Susan. “I blame myself severely for having so easily believed the slanderous tales invented by Charles Smith to the prejudice of Lady Susan, as I am now convinced how greatly they have traduced her” (letter 14, pg. 23). Mr. De Courcy is attempting to convince his family the woman he has fallen in love with is nothing like what people describe her as; she is, in fact, the victim of scandalous rumors. However, this proclamation generates a …show more content…
Lady Susan, throughout the story, demands Frederica marry Sir James. In the letter from Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson, Lady Susan displays her true feelings about her daughter and her plans for marriage. “I made a point also of Frederica’s behaving civilly to Sir James and gave her to understand that I was absolutely determined on her marrying him. She said something of her misery, but that was all” (letter 22, pg.37). It is clear that Lady Susan only uses her daughter as a pawn in her master plan. She only wants the money that comes along with the marriage, so she can leave Churchill and live where she pleases. Lady Susan reveals her true intentions to her confidant Mrs. Johnson, while everyone else receives the fabricated truth Lady Susan has spun for