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Letters 1–10
Explanation and Analysis—Lady Susan:
Though all of the characters in Lady Susan are arguably unreliable narrators, Lady Susan, the titular character, provides the most obvious and extreme example thereof. The first letter that appears in the novel is written by her, and, all things considered, appears fairly innocuous at first glance. She states at the beginning of the first letter that
[...]if quite convenient to you and Mrs. Vernon to receive me at present, I shall hope within a few days to be introduced to a Sister, whom I have so long desired to be acquainted with.
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Explanation and Analysis—Lady S. and Mrs. Vernon:
In the following passage from the fourth letter, Lady Susan discusses her sister-in-law, Catherine Vernon, with Mrs. Johnson. Lady Susan's status as an unreliable narrator and manipulator feed into and contribute to verbal irony, generating a passage that perhaps serves to obscure a more accurate view of events:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I wanted her to be delighted at seeing me—I was as amiable as possible on the occasion—but all in vain—she does not like me. To be sure, when we consider that I did take some pains to prevent my Brother-in-law’s marrying her, this want of cordiality is not very surprising—and yet it shews an illiberal and vindictive spirit to resent a project which influenced me six years ago, and which never succeeded at last.
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Letters 11–20
Explanation and Analysis—Mrs. Vernon's Bias:
In Letter 17, written to Lady De Courcey, Mrs. Vernon discusses Lady Susan's behavior upon the arrival of Frederica at Churchill. This passage begins to establish Mrs. Vernon as an unreliable narrator of events:
Unlock with LitCharts A+This pathetic representation lasted the whole evening, and so ostentatious and artful a display has entirely convinced me that she did in fact feel nothing.— I am more angry with her than ever since I have seen her daughter.— The poor girl looks so unhappy that my heart aches for her.
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