“They could none of them help perceiving that Sir James was no Solomon; but I had positively forbidden Frederica complaining to Charles Vernon or his wife, and they had therefore no pretence for interference; though my impertinent sister, I believe, wanted only opportunity for doing so” (XXII).
The biblical King Solomon, known for his extreme wealth and wisdom, became ruler in approximately 967 B.C.E. and ruled for 40 years. Lady Susan compares Sir James to Solomon, saying that the two are not alike because Sir James is neither wealthy, nor wise. To be compared to someone with a stature like King Solomon’s is usually a compliment, but in Sir James’ case, it is an insult. Austen chose King Solomon because at the time she wrote Lady Susan, the stories found in the Bible were better known and her readers understood her allusions.
Works Cited: Schoenberg, Shira. "Solomon." Jewish Virtual Library - Homepage. 25 Mar. 2009 http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Solomon.html.
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