Johnny Tremain

by

Esther Forbes

Miss Lavinia Lyte Character Analysis

Merchant Lyte’s daughter, Lavinia Lyte is one of the most beautiful—and wealthiest—young women in Boston. She splits her time between London and Boston, and she’s a fashion icon in Boston. Miss Lavinia is unconventionally beautiful, as she has dark hair, is quite tall, and has an odd scar on her forehead. The scar, however, doesn’t stop men from adoring her—Johnny included. Johnny has something of a love-hate relationship with Miss Lavinia. He nurses a crush on her, but he also resents her for being so wealthy and powerful. Indeed, even Miss Lavinia’s servants, like Mrs. Becky, aren’t very loyal to their cruel, fickle mistress. Additionally, Johnny takes issue with Miss Lavinia’s interest in beautiful Isannah; Miss Lavinia spoils the child and turns her against Cilla, her family members, and the working-class people she grew up with. Ultimately, Miss Lavinia becomes something of an ally, as she looks into Johnny’s claim that he’s a family member and tells him the truth about his mother (who was Miss Lavinia’s cousin). She also promises to attest to his relationship to the family in writing. This way, Johnny can attempt to claim land and property after the war. Discovering that Miss Lavinia is actually an aunt dissolves Johnny’s crush on her.

Miss Lavinia Lyte Quotes in Johnny Tremain

The Johnny Tremain quotes below are all either spoken by Miss Lavinia Lyte or refer to Miss Lavinia Lyte. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Coming of Age Theme Icon
).
Chapter 8 Quotes

Johnny liked the old woman all the better that in the end she had been unable to see a considerate master, whom she had served for thirty years, a young woman whom she had taken care of since she was a baby, humiliated, tossed about, torn by a mob. Sam Adams might respect her the less for this weakness. Johnny respected her more.

Related Characters: Johnny Tremain, Cilla Lapham, Miss Lavinia Lyte, Merchant Lyte, Mrs. Bessie, Samuel Adams
Page Number: 188
Explanation and Analysis:
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Miss Lavinia Lyte Quotes in Johnny Tremain

The Johnny Tremain quotes below are all either spoken by Miss Lavinia Lyte or refer to Miss Lavinia Lyte. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Coming of Age Theme Icon
).
Chapter 8 Quotes

Johnny liked the old woman all the better that in the end she had been unable to see a considerate master, whom she had served for thirty years, a young woman whom she had taken care of since she was a baby, humiliated, tossed about, torn by a mob. Sam Adams might respect her the less for this weakness. Johnny respected her more.

Related Characters: Johnny Tremain, Cilla Lapham, Miss Lavinia Lyte, Merchant Lyte, Mrs. Bessie, Samuel Adams
Page Number: 188
Explanation and Analysis: