Vanity Fair · Character

Lady Southdown

Pious, domineering mother of Lady Jane who meddles in the Crawley household.

minor

Also known as the strong-minded Lady Southdown, old Southdown, my Lady Southdown

First appearance: xlv between hampshire and london

Lady Southdown shows up with force in In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her. The page is where that presence becomes real.

A strong-minded evangelical dowager, she imposes her spiritual and medical remedies on Pitt and plans to convert Miss Crawley.

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In In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her: A strong-minded evangelical dowager, she imposes her spiritual and medical remedies on Pitt and plans to convert Miss Crawley. Later, in James Crawley's…

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See Lady Southdown in xlv between hampshire and london

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Lady Southdown sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Minor characters and servants
Social climbers and soldiers

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological breaking point for Jos Sedley, whose cowardice…

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In the story

Lady Southdown appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her
A strong-minded evangelical dowager, she imposes her spiritual and medical remedies on Pitt and plans to convert Miss Crawley.
James Crawley's Pipe Is Put Out
Dominates the Crawley household after the marriage, dosing everyone with tracts and medicine and stripping Miss Crawley of authority.
XL: In Which Becky Is Recognized by the Family
Clashes with Pitt over inviting Becky to the funeral, threatens to leave the house.
In Which Becky Revisits the Halls of Her Ancestors
Remains at Queen's Crawley, maintaining a solemn and stony silence, later victimized by Becky's mockery.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lady Southdown in xlv between hampshire and london

See Lady Southdown in In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her