Hello, dear Janeites. With the winter season upon us, it seems a nice time to sit down and write a letter to a friend or loved one. Whether your January days are cold and dreary, or the sun is kissing the landscape, everyone enjoys receiving mail. And this is just as true today as it was years ago when Jane Austen first crafted the epistolary novella, Lady Susan.
To be brief, the story of Lady Susan revolves mostly around the title character, a lady rake, who is renowned for her wit and charm as well as her coquettish behavior. She delights in gaining the admiration of others and flirts with gentlemen audaciously, whether they are married or unattached. Through Lady Susan’s own letters, as well as those drafted by her relatives and companions, the reader learns of her hedonistic ways and great desire to seek comfort above all else. She is tormented by her obstinate daughter, Frederica, vexed by her situation in life as a widow who must rely upon others to secure her own happiness, and strives to enact a series of grand schemes she affectionately terms her “little projects.” It is only through her correspondence that the reader comes to know the real Lady Susan, for she presents a pious mask to the world, whilst concealing some of her greater evils.
There are a great many faults which may be laid at Lady Susan Vernon’s feet, but in one department, she does not disappoint: her ability to communicate. She is an unparalleled master of language and uses her words to ensnare and beguile potential suitors. But she also employs that same talent while communicating with her dear friend, Mrs. Alicia Johnson. And so, with Universal Letter Writing Week upon us (January 12th-19th, 2025), let us channel Lady Susan’s energies and write letters to our friends. Just as she does throughout this novella, let us cast aside mundane inquires and polite phrases and replace them with real, thoughtful, and authentic correspondence.
So, this week, when you sit down to write a letter, remember Lady Susan. She was never more herself than when she penned a missive to Mrs. Johnson, revealing her plans and intentions. Who will be your confidante? To whom will you trust your secrets and cares?
To delve deeper into the the plot of Jane Austen’s Lady Susan, read Sarah’s blog.
Or, if you’d like to share this work with a young reader in your life, check out the video I made to accompany this reading.
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