Lady Susan

by

Jane Austen

Frederica Vernon Character Analysis

Frederica is Lady Susan’s meek, submissive daughter. Lady Susan drops her off at boarding school prior to the start of the novella, but midway through, she runs away and ends up staying with Lady Susan at the Vernons’ estate. Prior to meeting Frederica, Charles Vernon and Catherine Vernon are under the impression that she’s an ill-behaved, unintelligent girl—but after she arrives, they realize that she’s just “timid” and afraid of her mother, who speaks ill of her to others and attempts to micromanage her life. In fact, Catherine believes that Frederica is “very pretty” in her own right and might appear so to others if her mother weren’t such an overwhelming presence. As it stands, however, Lady Susan’s control over the passive Frederica is absolute: she hopes to force Frederica to marry Sir James Martin, whom Frederica despises, and she sent her to boarding school as a temporary punishment for refusing. After Sir James arrives unexpectedly at the Vernons’, Frederica appeals to Catherine’s brother, Reginald De Courcy, who is in love with Lady Susan, asking him to break her engagement to Sir James. Frederica has a crush on Reginald, who previously ignored her, and he becomes temporarily sympathetic to her plight after her plea for help. Because Frederica is so afraid of Lady Susan, her appeal demonstrates that she may be courageous enough to eventually break free of her mother’s clutches. Throughout the novella, however, characters use her as a pawn—Catherine even plots to use Frederica’s crush on Reginald to break up Reginald and Lady Susan’s relationship. Eventually, Lady Susan relinquishes her hold on Frederica when she decides to marry Sir James herself, and Frederica eventually marries Reginald (after his family convinces him to do so). Her passivity apparently continues even without her mother’s presence, though her moral character is rewarded with a reasonably happy marriage.

Frederica Vernon Quotes in Lady Susan

The Lady Susan quotes below are all either spoken by Frederica Vernon or refer to Frederica Vernon. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Gender, Power, and Manipulation Theme Icon
).
Letters 1–10 Quotes

But I was determined to be discreet, to bear in mind my being only four months a widow, and to be as quiet as possible,—and I have been so; my dear creature, I have admitted no one's attentions but Manwaring's, I have avoided all general flirtation whatever, I have distinguished no creature besides of all the numbers resorting hither, except Sir James Martin, on whom I bestowed a little notice in order to detach him from Miss Manwaring. But if the world could know my motive there, they would honour me. I have been called an unkind mother, but it was the sacred impulse of maternal affection, it was the advantage of my daughter that led me on; and if that daughter were not the greatest simpleton on earth, I might have been rewarded for my exertions as I ought.—Sir James did make proposals to me for Frederica—but Frederica, who was born to be the torment of my life, chose to set herself so violently against the match, that I thought it better to lay aside the scheme for the present.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin, Mr. Manwaring, Miss Manwaring
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 4
Explanation and Analysis:
Letters 11–20 Quotes

Frederica is too shy, I think, and too much in awe of me, to tell tales; but if the mildness of her uncle should get anything from her, I am not afraid. I trust I shall be able to make my story as good as hers. If I am vain of anything, it is of my eloquence. Consideration and esteem as surely follow command of language, as admiration waits on beauty. And here I have opportunity enough for the exercise of my talent, as the chief of my time is spent in conversation.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin, Charles Vernon
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:

I cannot help fancying that she is growing partial to my brother. I so very often see her eyes fixed on his face with a remarkable expression of pensive admiration! He is certainly very handsome—and yet more— there is an openness in his manner that must be highly prepossessing, and I am sure she feels it so.

[…]

I want to make him sensible of all this, for we know the power of gratitude on such a heart as his; and could Frederica's artless affection detach him from her mother, we might bless the day which brought her to Churchill.

Related Characters: Catherine Vernon (speaker), Lady Susan, Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy
Page Number: 30-31
Explanation and Analysis:

‘I am not apt to deal in professions, my dear Mrs Vernon, and I never had the convenient talent of affecting sensations foreign to my heart; and therefore I trust you will believe me when I declare that much as I had heard in your praise before I knew you, I had no idea that I should ever love you as I now do; and must farther say that your friendship towards me is more particularly gratifying, because I have reason to believe that some attempts were made to prejudice you against me. I only wish that They – whoever they are – to whom I am indebted for such kind intentions, could see the terms on which we now are together, and understand the real affection we feel for each other! But I will not detain you any longer. God bless you, for your goodness to me and my girl, and continue to you all your present happiness.’

What can one say of such a woman, my dear mother? –such earnestness, such solemnity of expression! and yet I cannot help suspecting the truth of everything she says.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Catherine Vernon (speaker), Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 35-36
Explanation and Analysis:
Letters 21–30 Quotes

I hope you will excuse this liberty, I am forced upon it by the greatest distress, or I should be ashamed to trouble you. I am very miserable about Sir James Martin, and have no other way in the world of helping myself but by writing to you, for I am forbidden ever speaking to my uncle or aunt on the subject; and this being the case, I am afraid my applying to you will appear no better than equivocation, and as if I attended only to the letter and not the spirit of Mama's commands, but if you do not take my part, and persuade her to break it off, I shall be half-distracted, for I cannot bear him. No human being but you could have any chance of prevailing with her. […] I do not know how to apologize enough for this letter, I know it is taking so great a liberty, I am aware how dreadfully angry it will make Mama, but I must run the risk.

Related Characters: Frederica Vernon (speaker), Lady Susan, Catherine Vernon, Reginald De Courcy, Sir James Martin, Charles Vernon
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 37
Explanation and Analysis:

I have for some time been more particularly resolved on the match, from seeing the rapid increase of her affection for Reginald, and from not feeling perfectly secure that a knowledge of that affection might not in the end awaken a return. Contemptible, as a regard founded only on compassion, must make them both, in my eyes, I felt by no means assured that such might not be the consequence. It is true that Reginald had not in any degree grown cool towards me; but yet he had lately mentioned Frederica spontaneously and unnecessarily, and once said something in praise of her person.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 38
Explanation and Analysis:

At that moment how great was my astonishment at seeing Reginald come out of Lady Susan's dressing room. My heart misgave me instantly. His confusion on seeing me was very evident. Frederica immediately disappeared. ‘Are you going?’ said I. ‘You will find Mr Vernon in his own room.’ ‘No, Catherine," replied he. ‘I am not going. Will you let me speak to you a moment?’

We went into my room. ‘I find,’ continued he, his confusion increasing as he spoke, ‘that I have been acting with my usual foolish impetuosity. […] Frederica does not know her mother—Lady Susan means nothing but her good—but she will not make a friend of her. Lady Susan therefore does not always know what will make her daughter happy. Besides I could have no right to interfere—Miss Vernon was mistaken in applying to me.’ […] I made no remarks however, for words would have been vain.

Related Characters: Catherine Vernon (speaker), Lady Susan, Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy, Charles Vernon
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 44
Explanation and Analysis:

Oh! How delightful it was, to watch the variations of his countenance while I spoke, to see the struggle between returning tenderness and the remains of displeasure. There is something agreable in feelings so easily worked on. Not that I would envy him their possession, nor would for the world have such myself, but they are very convenient when one wishes to influence the passions of another. And yet this Reginald, whom a very few words from me softened at once into the utmost submission, and rendered more tractable, more attached, more devoted than ever, would have left me in the first angry swelling of his proud heart, without deigning to seek an explanation! Humbled as he now is, I cannot forgive him such an instance of pride; and am doubtful whether I ought not to punish him, by dismissing him at once after this our reconciliation, or by marrying and teasing him for ever.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin
Page Number: 49
Explanation and Analysis:
Conclusion Quotes

Frederica was therefore fixed in the family of her uncle and aunt till such time as Reginald De Courcy could be talked, flattered, and finessed into an affection for her—which, allowing leisure for the conquest of his attachment to her mother, for his abjuring all future attachments and detesting the sex, might be reasonably looked for in the course of a twelvemonth. Three months might have done it in general, but Reginald's feelings were no less lasting than lively.

Related Characters: Lady Susan, Catherine Vernon, Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy
Page Number: 68
Explanation and Analysis:

Whether Lady Susan was, or was not happy in her second choice – I do not see how it can ever be ascertained—for who would take her assurance of it, on either side of the question? The world must judge from probability. She had nothing against her, but her husband, and her conscience.

Sir James may seem to have drawn a harder lot than mere folly merited. I therefore leave him to all the pity that anybody can give him.

Related Characters: Lady Susan, Frederica Vernon, Sir James Martin
Page Number: 68
Explanation and Analysis:
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Frederica Vernon Quotes in Lady Susan

The Lady Susan quotes below are all either spoken by Frederica Vernon or refer to Frederica Vernon. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Gender, Power, and Manipulation Theme Icon
).
Letters 1–10 Quotes

But I was determined to be discreet, to bear in mind my being only four months a widow, and to be as quiet as possible,—and I have been so; my dear creature, I have admitted no one's attentions but Manwaring's, I have avoided all general flirtation whatever, I have distinguished no creature besides of all the numbers resorting hither, except Sir James Martin, on whom I bestowed a little notice in order to detach him from Miss Manwaring. But if the world could know my motive there, they would honour me. I have been called an unkind mother, but it was the sacred impulse of maternal affection, it was the advantage of my daughter that led me on; and if that daughter were not the greatest simpleton on earth, I might have been rewarded for my exertions as I ought.—Sir James did make proposals to me for Frederica—but Frederica, who was born to be the torment of my life, chose to set herself so violently against the match, that I thought it better to lay aside the scheme for the present.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin, Mr. Manwaring, Miss Manwaring
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 4
Explanation and Analysis:
Letters 11–20 Quotes

Frederica is too shy, I think, and too much in awe of me, to tell tales; but if the mildness of her uncle should get anything from her, I am not afraid. I trust I shall be able to make my story as good as hers. If I am vain of anything, it is of my eloquence. Consideration and esteem as surely follow command of language, as admiration waits on beauty. And here I have opportunity enough for the exercise of my talent, as the chief of my time is spent in conversation.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin, Charles Vernon
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:

I cannot help fancying that she is growing partial to my brother. I so very often see her eyes fixed on his face with a remarkable expression of pensive admiration! He is certainly very handsome—and yet more— there is an openness in his manner that must be highly prepossessing, and I am sure she feels it so.

[…]

I want to make him sensible of all this, for we know the power of gratitude on such a heart as his; and could Frederica's artless affection detach him from her mother, we might bless the day which brought her to Churchill.

Related Characters: Catherine Vernon (speaker), Lady Susan, Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy
Page Number: 30-31
Explanation and Analysis:

‘I am not apt to deal in professions, my dear Mrs Vernon, and I never had the convenient talent of affecting sensations foreign to my heart; and therefore I trust you will believe me when I declare that much as I had heard in your praise before I knew you, I had no idea that I should ever love you as I now do; and must farther say that your friendship towards me is more particularly gratifying, because I have reason to believe that some attempts were made to prejudice you against me. I only wish that They – whoever they are – to whom I am indebted for such kind intentions, could see the terms on which we now are together, and understand the real affection we feel for each other! But I will not detain you any longer. God bless you, for your goodness to me and my girl, and continue to you all your present happiness.’

What can one say of such a woman, my dear mother? –such earnestness, such solemnity of expression! and yet I cannot help suspecting the truth of everything she says.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Catherine Vernon (speaker), Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 35-36
Explanation and Analysis:
Letters 21–30 Quotes

I hope you will excuse this liberty, I am forced upon it by the greatest distress, or I should be ashamed to trouble you. I am very miserable about Sir James Martin, and have no other way in the world of helping myself but by writing to you, for I am forbidden ever speaking to my uncle or aunt on the subject; and this being the case, I am afraid my applying to you will appear no better than equivocation, and as if I attended only to the letter and not the spirit of Mama's commands, but if you do not take my part, and persuade her to break it off, I shall be half-distracted, for I cannot bear him. No human being but you could have any chance of prevailing with her. […] I do not know how to apologize enough for this letter, I know it is taking so great a liberty, I am aware how dreadfully angry it will make Mama, but I must run the risk.

Related Characters: Frederica Vernon (speaker), Lady Susan, Catherine Vernon, Reginald De Courcy, Sir James Martin, Charles Vernon
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 37
Explanation and Analysis:

I have for some time been more particularly resolved on the match, from seeing the rapid increase of her affection for Reginald, and from not feeling perfectly secure that a knowledge of that affection might not in the end awaken a return. Contemptible, as a regard founded only on compassion, must make them both, in my eyes, I felt by no means assured that such might not be the consequence. It is true that Reginald had not in any degree grown cool towards me; but yet he had lately mentioned Frederica spontaneously and unnecessarily, and once said something in praise of her person.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 38
Explanation and Analysis:

At that moment how great was my astonishment at seeing Reginald come out of Lady Susan's dressing room. My heart misgave me instantly. His confusion on seeing me was very evident. Frederica immediately disappeared. ‘Are you going?’ said I. ‘You will find Mr Vernon in his own room.’ ‘No, Catherine," replied he. ‘I am not going. Will you let me speak to you a moment?’

We went into my room. ‘I find,’ continued he, his confusion increasing as he spoke, ‘that I have been acting with my usual foolish impetuosity. […] Frederica does not know her mother—Lady Susan means nothing but her good—but she will not make a friend of her. Lady Susan therefore does not always know what will make her daughter happy. Besides I could have no right to interfere—Miss Vernon was mistaken in applying to me.’ […] I made no remarks however, for words would have been vain.

Related Characters: Catherine Vernon (speaker), Lady Susan, Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy, Charles Vernon
Related Symbols: Letters
Page Number: 44
Explanation and Analysis:

Oh! How delightful it was, to watch the variations of his countenance while I spoke, to see the struggle between returning tenderness and the remains of displeasure. There is something agreable in feelings so easily worked on. Not that I would envy him their possession, nor would for the world have such myself, but they are very convenient when one wishes to influence the passions of another. And yet this Reginald, whom a very few words from me softened at once into the utmost submission, and rendered more tractable, more attached, more devoted than ever, would have left me in the first angry swelling of his proud heart, without deigning to seek an explanation! Humbled as he now is, I cannot forgive him such an instance of pride; and am doubtful whether I ought not to punish him, by dismissing him at once after this our reconciliation, or by marrying and teasing him for ever.

Related Characters: Lady Susan (speaker), Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Alicia Johnson, Sir James Martin
Page Number: 49
Explanation and Analysis:
Conclusion Quotes

Frederica was therefore fixed in the family of her uncle and aunt till such time as Reginald De Courcy could be talked, flattered, and finessed into an affection for her—which, allowing leisure for the conquest of his attachment to her mother, for his abjuring all future attachments and detesting the sex, might be reasonably looked for in the course of a twelvemonth. Three months might have done it in general, but Reginald's feelings were no less lasting than lively.

Related Characters: Lady Susan, Catherine Vernon, Reginald De Courcy, Frederica Vernon, Lady De Courcy
Page Number: 68
Explanation and Analysis:

Whether Lady Susan was, or was not happy in her second choice – I do not see how it can ever be ascertained—for who would take her assurance of it, on either side of the question? The world must judge from probability. She had nothing against her, but her husband, and her conscience.

Sir James may seem to have drawn a harder lot than mere folly merited. I therefore leave him to all the pity that anybody can give him.

Related Characters: Lady Susan, Frederica Vernon, Sir James Martin
Page Number: 68
Explanation and Analysis: