I chose to read Persuasion by Jane Austen for my summer reading. I chose this book because it is a classic novel and I felt it would be interesting. Anne Elliot is a 27 year old, middle daughter of an unconcerned father and self absorbed sisters. She despairs of forever being a spinster. She accepted a proposal from Captain Frederick Wentworth eight years earlier but broke the engagement. She chose to break it because her Godmother Lady Russell was not in agreement with Captain Wentworth’s ideas and thought he was not good enough for her. They meet again when Admiral and Mrs. Croft, who is Captain Wentworth’s sister, let Kellynch Hall from her father Sir Walter Elliot who has fallen on hard times.
Anne Elliot is the main character of this novel. She is described as elegance of mind, passably pretty and has a sweetness of character. She is important because she is the central character of this story. She is not the most beautiful character but her personality makes her the most endearing. Sir Walter Elliot is another of the main players in this story he is Anne’s father and a vain and flighty person. Since the death of his wife he spends money he does not have and puts them in debt. He is not mean spirited but simply self absorbed and only cares for his oldest daughter Elizabeth who is described to be beautiful and a lot like himself. Captain Wentworth is another main character. He is classified as a gentleman because he has good manners, sensitivity and has worked hard to acquire the money and position he now holds. He is not by birth good enough for Anne Elliot but he is the white knight of the story who overcomes all that he is not with what he has made of himself.
The setting for this story begins in the 1800’s in which respectability and birth are everything. This story takes place in 1814 to 1815. Anne begins her journey in Kellynch Hall which is her family home. She then stays at Uppercross Manor at her sister Mary’s home because she is “indisposed” quite frequently. The story then moves to Lyme where the characters take a trip mid story. Persuasion ends in Bath where Anne goes to join her Father and her eldest sister. This story would irrevocably be changed if you changed the setting. If this story was moved to today’s time or to the United States the whole context would change. Rank, birth and the way they lived is the reason Anne was so easily persuaded by her friends.
The main conflict of this story was Anne’s inability to commit to her relationship with Captain Wentworth. When she was 19 she became engaged to him but because he was of inferior birth and had no money her Godmother felt he was not good enough for her. Her father was of the same mind and felt her station required a better match that a Navy man. Anne then let herself be persuaded to end the engagement even though she knew she would miss him. When they meet again another conflict arises Captain Wentworth begins courting Louisa Musgrove and Mr. Elliot begins to court Anne. Now the two have to work through these problems before they can begin a new relationship. By the end of the story they are reunited and are beginning to have a relationship again and Anne discovered that she was grateful that her life turned out the way it had.
The theme of the story is a cliche I know we have all hear, “Good things come to those who wait.” I believe Jane Austen is trying to make the point that things happen in life that have no reasoning behind them but make for a better life in the end. If Anne had married Captain Wentworth in the beginning they would not be the people they became. The lessons they learned in those eight years made a firm ground for their relationship to build upon. I think the theme also has to do with the class and social aspects of this story. These are what bring the persuasion into the novel if Anne was not influenced by these things then the story would have a lesser impact to the readers. Everyone struggles with decisions that need to be made so we all have a stake in the outcome of this novel.
I believe there was symbolism in this story Kellynch Hall is one of those symbols. Since Anne and her father and sisters are from there they are by far the most powerful family in the area. This story is constantly referring to Sir Walter’s title and what that means for the people involved. Since he has the most social standing his family must marry as well or better than him. Kellynch Hall is the largest house in the area and even though he does not have to money to keep it up he must “let it” to Admiral Croft. He would never consider selling it because it is a status symbol to him. Another symbol in this novel is The Baronetage. This is a book he is reading at the beginning of the story. This is a book of baronetcies bestowed before 1707. Since his rank is so important to him he reads this book simply because he is in it. He also makes notes to his own page in it whenever something occurs that was not published. There is also a movie version of this book but I have not seen it so I am unsure if it would be as good as the book.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. This is a classic book with a lot of ideas that an average person can relate to, even in today’s time. The wording in the book is not the way we talk now but if you pay attention to the context clues of each sentence then you can understand the meaning. If you are a romantic this book will keep you entertained with the charm, wit and the underlying devotion it inspires. Not to mention that it has a happy ending.
