# Susan — Basil character guide

> Susan in Basil by Wilkie Collins.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** poor Susan

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-i

## Who they are

A servant in the Sherwin household, privy to family secrets.

## Relationships

### [William Penhale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/william_penhale)

_romantic_

Susan and William are in a courtship, but their relationship is complicated by social class differences and family pressures.

### [Mary Penhale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/mary_penhale)

_family_

Mary is Susan's sister or close relative, and they share a supportive, affectionate bond, often discussing family matters.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

Servant who reveals she has been secretly delivering letters to Margaret and shows one to Basil.

### [Letter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-letter-i)

Daughter of William and Mary, recently placed in a good position in London.

### [Letter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-letter-ii)

Mary's daughter, mentioned as sending kisses and doing well with her mistress.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters/susan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/basil_se/characters