Susan: A Morally Developing Character
The Last Silk Dress by Ann Rinaldi takes place during the Civil War in the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. Susan Dobson Chilmark, a gorgeous, intelligent, dynamic fourteen-year-old girl, who vows to devote herself to the Confederacy and the Cause, narrates the novel. Once she meets her older brother Lucien Dobson Chilmark, she learns more about the past of her family, why he left the family, and he begins to change her thoughts about the War. Due to the guidance of others and the turmoil of the War, Susan develops morally in the novel.
After a close encounter with a violent mob of Confederate supporters, Susan’s father Hugh Chilmark gives her momentous advice while confined in his office at Tredegar Iron Works, “‘Do what you think is right. Even if it hurts those around you”’ (14). The meaning of this quote is to Susan is to follow her heart even though the outcome of her decision may hurt those she loves. Hugh wants Susan to make her own decisions and not to follow the example of others. He also realizes Susan is growing up and will face many difficult decisions throughout her lifetime, but wants her to know he will support her decisions, no matter the outcome. Susan will always remember her father this way. She falls back on Hugh’s advice several times in the novel during many difficult situations.
While sneaking out of the house, Susan meets her scandalous, rebellious, good-looking older brother Lucien. Lucien explains to Susan, “‘Slavery is evil Susan, and Southerners have talked themselves into believing it’s good”’ (46). The meaning of this quote is Lucien is an abolitionist, and says Southerners believe slavery is a good practice. Unlike her brother, Susan is a die-hard Confederate, and believes slavery is a good practice. Susan never thought of slavery as being cruel. She does not know where slaves come from or the harsh treatment they endure on a daily bases from their masters. The significance of this event is Susan meets her brother and he begins to change her thoughts about the War. He tells her why he is not fighting, why he is not a supporter of the Cause, and begins to tell her why he left. Lucien also explains to Susan the cruelty of slavery. He tells her about how Southern slaveholders treat their slaves and the grueling slave auctions where Southerners purchase their slaves. This meeting is the beginning of Susan’s rebellion against her Southern beliefs, and a beginning to her becoming more like a “Yankee.”
