In Persuasion, Jane Austen takes us on a journey through the intricacies of society and human nature, showcasing her unparalleled talent for depicting relatable characters and compelling narratives. Published posthumously in 1817, Persuasion stands alongside Northanger Abbey as one of her last works. Let's delve into this novel's timeless themes of social climbing, rekindled love, and personal drive, and discover what sets it apart from Austen's other novels.
Jane Austen (1775-1817) was a renowned writer known for her realistic and timeless depictions of society and human nature. However, it was not until Persuasion was published, bearing her name as the author, that she gained recognition for her literary genius, elevating her from anonymity.
The story begins with Sir Walter Elliot, a proud man obsessed with his appearance and social status, reading a genealogy of his aristocratic family. He has three daughters - the protagonist, Anne Elliot, her older sister Elizabeth, and her younger sister Mary. Elizabeth and Mary, like their father, are shallow and materialistic, placing great importance on maintaining their place in society.
Anne, on the other hand, is the black sheep of the family. She does not share her father and sisters' preoccupation with appearances, which causes a rift between them. Anne was closer to her late mother, who had a more sensible approach and restrained Sir Walter's extravagant spending habits. However, since her passing, Sir Walter's love for opulence has left the family in financial trouble. Seeking advice, Sir Walter invites friends to discuss his situation.
One of these friends is Lady Russell, Anne's late mother's best friend and a mother figure to her. She had convinced Anne to break off her engagement with Frederick Wentworth, a poor sailor of lower social class, seven years prior to the start of the novel. Despite still loving Wentworth, Anne heeded Lady Russell's advice. Now 27 and unmarried, Anne's future is uncertain due to her father's financial mismanagement.
Also in attendance is Mr. Shephard, Sir Walter's lawyer, and Lady Russell's daughter, Mrs. Clay. Mrs. Clay is a widow with two children, and it is speculated that she has her sights set on marrying Sir Walter. After much discussion, it is decided that Sir Walter should rent out their home, Kellynch Hall, to settle his debts. While considering potential renters, Wentworth's name is mentioned, prompting Anne to reflect on their lost love.
Ultimately, Kellynch Hall is rented out to Admiral Croft and his wife, Sophie, who happens to be Wentworth's sister. Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and Anne relocate to Bath, accompanied by Mrs. Clay, with whom they have grown close. Anne suspects that Mrs. Clay's intentions may go beyond friendship and towards marrying her father. Meanwhile, Admiral Croft invites his brother-in-law, Captain Frederick Wentworth, to visit them at Kellynch Hall.
Anne also goes to visit her younger sister, Mary, who has married and left home. Mary's husband, Charles Musgrove, had initially proposed to Anne before settling for her sister. They reside in Uppercross Cottage, in the same village as Charles' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove of Uppercross Hall. Charles comes from a large family, including siblings Henrietta, Louisa, and Richard. Charles' cousin, Charles Hayter, is set to inherit the family estate of Winthrop and becomes Henrietta's love interest. While the Hayters are of lower social standing than the Musgroves, the families are friendly, much to Mary's disapproval. She shares her father and sister Elizabeth's shallow nature.
As Kellynch Hall is not far from Uppercross Cottage, the two families often come together. Anne and Captain Wentworth are reunited after years apart, but their reunion is not as smooth as one would expect. Despite still having feelings for each other, Captain Wentworth wants to move on and Anne is left to watch from the sidelines as he pursues a new romance with Louisa. However, their fate takes an unexpected turn when Louisa falls for Wentworth's brother-in-law, causing him to realize the true depth of his feelings for Anne.
In the end, Persuasion is not just a love story between two individuals, but also a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and second chances. Through her eloquent writing and relatable characters, Austen creates a timeless tale that explores the complexities of human nature and the power of love, making Persuasion a must-read for all literature enthusiasts.
The love story of Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth is a tale of perseverance and fate. But their journey takes an unexpected turn when they visit Lyme Regis, a quaint town on the coast of England. There, they meet Captain Wentworth's close friends, Captain Harville and Captain Benwick, who was once engaged to Captain Harville's late sister, Fanny Harville.
Captain Benwick, still mourning the loss of Fanny, finds comfort and solace in Anne's company. As they grow closer, he begins to develop romantic feelings for her. However, their visit is cut short when Louisa has a tragic accident and falls into a coma. The Harvilles take her in to care for her, while Anne's journey takes her to the bustling city of Bath.
There, she meets the wealthy and charming Mr. William Elliot, who has been estranged from Anne's family for years. He quickly wins the hearts of Anne's father and sister, who hope for a marriage between him and Anne's sister, Elizabeth. However, Anne is not convinced of his intentions and becomes suspicious of his motives.
During her time in Bath, Anne also reconnects with her old friend, Mrs. Smith, who lives in a less affluent area. Despite her family's disapproval, Anne visits Mrs. Smith and learns the truth about Mr. Elliot's past. Mrs. Smith reveals that he was the cause of her husband's financial ruin and that he mistreated his first wife. Anne's doubts about Mr. Elliot are confirmed, and she decides against pursuing a relationship with him.
As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to the vibrant society of Bath, where all the major characters cross paths. Captain Wentworth, who is also in Bath, starts to show interest in Anne again, now that Louisa is engaged to Captain Benwick. He overhears a conversation where Anne speaks about the constancy of her love, reigniting his feelings for her.
However, Mr. Elliot is also pursuing Anne's affections, and despite her family's approval, she remains hesitant. It is not until Mrs. Smith's revelations that Anne realizes the truth about Mr. Elliot's character and is deterred from pursuing a relationship with him.
In the end, Captain Wentworth, now a successful and wealthy man, proposes to Anne in a heartfelt letter. This time, he is no longer an "unworthy" match for her, and their love prevails. Louisa marries Captain Benwick, and Henrietta marries Charles Hayter, resulting in a happy ending for all.
With William Elliot's departure and Mrs. Clay's infatuation with him, Austen hints at a possible marriage between the two in "Persuasion."
The theme of class is prevalent throughout the novel and greatly influences the characters' decisions. Lady Russell advises Anne to break off her engagement with Captain Wentworth due to his lower social status, resulting in a seven-year separation. Sir Walter's obsession with maintaining his upper-class lifestyle ultimately leads to the family's financial ruin. Similarly, Elizabeth and Mary are preoccupied with class and make decisions based on societal expectations for their status.
However, "Persuasion" challenges the idea that class is fixed and unchangeable. Captain Wentworth, a former lower-class man, has successfully elevated himself to the upper class while remaining true to his values. And Anne, the novel's protagonist, defies her family's disapproval by maintaining her friendship with Mrs. Smith, a lower-class woman. This portrayal of Anne highlights the values that Austen values—empathy, loyalty, and disregard for class boundaries.
Sir Walter's disdain for Mrs. Smith is evident when Anne visits her in Westgate Buildings, showcasing the societal norms of the time where class and status were crucial for marriage prospects and social acceptance.
Written in the mid-1810s, "Persuasion" reflects the societal expectations of the time. The novel was written during a period where the "marriage market" was essential in society, placing value on wealthy and upper-class marriages for women. As women did not work, they relied solely on their husbands for financial support. This expectation is reflected in the novel through the characters' concerns about marrying into wealthy families.
The Napoleonic wars, which were taking place during the writing of "Persuasion," also play a significant role in the novel. The wars added a sense of urgency and importance to the characters' decisions and actions.
Captain Frederick Wentworth's success in the navy allowed him to climb the ranks in society, reflecting a common occurrence for men during this time period. Jane Austen's iconic novel, Persuasion, paints a complex web of characters, each playing a vital role in the story.
The main character, Anne Elliot, is the middle child in the Elliot family. Unlike her family, she treasures genuine character over social status. Despite being unmarried at the age of 27, she holds onto her feelings for Captain Wentworth, whom she had broken off an engagement with seven years prior due to Lady Russell's advice. As the story progresses, Anne distances herself further from her family's values and gains her own independence. When she and Frederick finally reunite, her love for him is undeniable, leading to his proposal.
Frederick, once a poor sailor, is now a successful and desirable bachelor. However, upon his return, he does not attempt to rekindle his relationship with Anne. His opinion of her had changed after she was influenced to break off their engagement. Being someone who values actions over words, he sees Anne as inconsistent and unreliable.
His decision to pursue Louisa Musgrove instead was due to her upfront nature and reliability. But as Frederick realizes the error of his judgment and the depth of Anne's love for him, he once again proposes.
The Elliot family, consisting of Sir Walter and his three daughters, Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary, holds a central role in the story. Sir Walter, a self-absorbed and reckless man, has led his family into debt in pursuit of a luxurious lifestyle. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth, shares his values and eagerly awaits marriage for status and wealth. Mary, the youngest, also values social standing and is married to Charles Musgrove.
William Elliot, cousin to the Elliot sisters, stands to inherit their family home, Kellynch Hall. His marriage to a woman of lower class and great wealth caused a rift between him and the family. Now, he is eager to reconcile in order to gain social status for himself. With his charming nature, he manages to win over everyone except Anne, who sees through his facade.
It is unclear if William's romantic interest in Anne is genuine or just a means to achieve his own goals. He also engages in an affair with Mrs. Clay, whom he initially pursued out of fear that she would marry Sir Walter and produce an heir. However, with the truth of his character exposed by Mrs. Smith, his cunning and manipulative nature is revealed to all.
Persuasion by Jane Austen is a timeless novel that satirizes the societal norms and expectations of 18th Century England. It follows the rekindled romance between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth, while delving into the issues of social status and classism prevailing during that era.
Jane Austen wrote Persuasion between the years 1815 and 1816, showcasing her unparalleled talent in capturing the intricacies of human relationships and societal constraints in a witty and entertaining manner.
Comprised of two volumes, Persuasion by Jane Austen spans across 24 chapters, with the story concluding in Chapter 12 of Volume 2. While some cancelled chapters have been discovered, they were not included in the final version of the novel.
The novel explores a range of themes, including the power of love and its ability to stand the test of time, the importance of self-motivation, and the pitfalls of deception in relationships and society.
After Jane Austen's death, Persuasion was published in 1817, solidifying her legacy as a literary genius and cementing the novel's place as a classic in English literature.
