# Susan Rider — The Rector and The Doctor’s Family character guide > Susan Rider in The Rector and The Doctor’s Family by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Susan, Poor Susan **First appearance:** 0005-the-doctor-s-family ## Snapshot Fred Rider's long-suffering wife, who crossed the world with her children only to find a husband too broken to reclaim. ## Who they are Susan Rider arrives in Carlingford faded and anxious, leaning on her forceful sister Nettie even as she clings to the hope of her husband Fred. She is the passive, fretful counterweight to Nettie's energy—fanned and peevish on her sofa, unequal to her children's noise, yet still the woman who gave away her money and her youth to a man who squandered both. Her helplessness sharpens the moral stakes of the household, showing what Fred's ruin has cost and what Nettie's fierce management is really protecting. ## Relationships ### [Nettie Underwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood) _family_ Nettie Underwood and Susan Rider are sisters-in-law, sharing a supportive and caring bond within the Rider family. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _family_ Dr. Edward Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, with Edward showing concern and responsibility for Susan's welfare. ### [Fred Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider) _family_ Fred Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, sharing a close and affectionate bond. ### [Nettie Underwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood) _family_ Nettie Underwood and Susan Rider are sisters-in-law, sharing a supportive and caring bond within the Rider family. ### [Nettie Underwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood) _family_ Nettie Underwood and Susan Rider are sisters-in-law, sharing a supportive and caring bond within the Rider family. ### [Fred Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider) _family_ Fred Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, sharing a close and affectionate bond. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _family_ Dr. Edward Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, with Edward showing concern and responsibility for Susan's welfare. ### [Fred Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider) _family_ Fred Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, sharing a close and affectionate bond. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _family_ Dr. Edward Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, with Edward showing concern and responsibility for Susan's welfare. ## In the story ### [The Doctor's Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/the-doctor-s-family) Fred's wife, depicted as overwhelmed and unable to manage the household effectively. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/ii) Appears faded, plaintive, and anxious, pleading with Dr. Rider for news of Fred. She is overshadowed by Nettie's assertiveness. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/iii) Faded and spiteful, she resents Nettie's control but remains passive and dependent. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as Fred's wife, self-willed despite appearing submissive, and prone to illness when crossed. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/v) Nettie's sister, who is supported and dominated by Nettie in the household. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/vi) Susan is spiteful and useless, with poor health and selfish love. She makes spiteful speeches to Edward and dawdles over unfinished trifles. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/vii) Stands sulky at the parlour door, defensive of Fred despite their internal conflicts. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as part of the family that Dr. Rider feels obligated to support. ### [Another Life and a Changed World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/ix) Fred's wife; she is present in the household but largely passive; lies down early in the evening. ### [The Morning After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/x) Asleep and unaware of her husband's death; Nettie dreads waking her. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xi) Lies in bed wailing over Fred's injuries and complaining of Nettie's lack of feeling, unable to grasp the true tragedy of her husband's death. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xii) Now a widow, she lies on the sofa in mourning, receiving sympathizers, unchanged in her helplessness and self-centeredness. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xiii) Persistently pushes for a return to Australia, using her grief and the children to manipulate Nettie, and confides in Richard Chatham. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as delicate and discussing the journey with the Australian visitor. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xvi) Announces her engagement to Mr. Chatham and refuses to travel on the 24th, asserting her will against Nettie. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xvii) Worries about losing Nettie's help after her engagement to Richard Chatham and tries to persuade Nettie to stay. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/susan_rider - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters