Persuasion is Jane Austen's last completed novel. She died, aged 41, in
1817. It was first published, posthumously, in 1818. Jane Austen
began Persuasion soon after she had finished Emma, and completed it in August,
1816. Persuasion is connected with Northanger
Abbey not only by the fact that the two books were originally bound up in one volume and published together two years
later, but also because both stories are set partly in Bath, a health resort with which
Jane Austen was well acquainted, having lived there from 1801 till 1805.
Plot introduction
Eight years ago, Anne Elliot fell in love with a poor but ambitious young naval officer, Frederick Wentworth. The Elliots were
dissatisfied with Anne's choice, feeling he was not distinguished enough for their family, and her older friend and mentor, Lady
Russell, acting in place of Anne's deceased mother, persuaded her to break off the match. Now 27 and considered a
spinster, Anne re-encounters her former fiance, now a captain, as he courts her spirited young
neighbour, Louisa Musgrove. The self-interested machinations of Anne's older sister Elizabeth, Elizabeth's friend Mrs. Clay, and
Anne's father's heir, William Elliot, constitute an important subplot.
Explanation of title
The title refers to the persuasion to which the heroine, Anne Elliot, has given in, to her later regret. Several other
characters find themselves being persuaded or refusing to be persuaded, as well. The title of the novel was not chosen by Austen,
but rather by her older sister Cassandra, and some critics believe she had intended to name it "The Elliots", but she died before
titling it.
Plot summary
Anne Elliot is the overlooked middle daughter of the vain and spendthrift Sir Walter Elliot, a baronet who is all too conscious of his good looks and rank. Anne's mother, a fine, sensible woman, is long
dead, and her elder sister, Elizabeth, resembles her father in temperament and delights in the fact that as the eldest daughter
she can assume her mother's former position in their rural neighborhood. Anne's younger sister, Mary, is a nervous, clinging
woman who has made an unspectacular marriage to Charles Musgrove of Uppercross Hall, the heir to a bucolic but respected local
squire. None of her surviving family can provide much companionship for the elegant-minded Anne,
who, still unmarried at 27, seems destined for spinsterhood.
Eight years earlier, Anne had been persuaded by her mother's great friend and her own trusted confidante, the widow Lady
Russell, to break her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth RN, who she loved deeply,
despite the shortness of their acquaintance. Lady Russell had questioned the wisdom of Anne marrying a poor young naval officer
without family or connections whose prospects were so uncertain.
Wentworth re-enters Anne's life when Sir Walter is forced by his own profligacy to let the family estate to none other than
Wentworth's brother-in-law, Admiral Croft. Wentworth's successes in the Napoleonic Wars
resulted in his promotion and enabled him to amass the then considerable fortune of £25,000 (from prize money awarded for capturing enemy vessels). The Musgroves, including Mary, Charles and Charles's
younger sisters, Henrietta and Louisa, are delighted to welcome the Crofts and Wentworth to the neighborhood. Both Musgrove girls
are attracted to Wentworth, though Henrietta is informally engaged to clergyman cousin Charles Hayter. Hayter is viewed as a
merely respectable match, being a bit beneath the Musgroves, socially and financially. Charles, Mary, and the Crofts continually
speculate as to which one Wentworth might marry.
Captain Wentworth's visit to a close friend, Captain Harville, in nearby Lyme Regis
results in a day-long outing being organized by those eager to see the resort. While there, Louisa Musgrove sustains a concussion
in a fall brought about by her own impetuous behaviour. This highlights the difference between the headstrong Louisa and the more
sensible Anne. While onlookers exclaim that Louisa is dead and her companions stand around dumbfounded, Anne administers first
aid and summons assistance. Wentworth's admiration for Anne reawakens as a result. Louisa's recovery is slow and her
self-confidence is severely shaken. Her newfound timidity elicits the kind attention and reassurance of Wentworth's friend
Captain Benwick, who had been mourning the recent death of his fiancee. The couple find their personalities to be now more in
sympathy and they become engaged.
Meanwhile, Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's scheming friend Mrs. Clay, the widowed daughter of Sir Walter's agent, have
relocated to Bath. There they hope to live in a manner befitting a baronet and his family with the least possible expense until
their finances are restored to a firmer footing. Sir Walter's cousin and heir, William Elliot, who long ago slighted the baronet,
now seeks a reconciliation. Elizabeth assumes that he wishes to court her, while Lady Russell more correctly suspects that he
admires Anne.
Although William Elliot seems a perfect gentleman, Anne vaguely distrusts him; she finds his character disturbingly opaque.
She is enlightened by an unexpected source when she discovers an old school friend, Mrs. Smith, living in Bath in straitened
circumstances. Mrs. Smith and her now-deceased husband had once been Mr. Elliot's closest friends. Having encouraged them into
financial extravagance, he had quickly dropped them when they became impoverished. Anne learns, to her great distress, of his
layers of deceit and calculated self-interest. In addition, her friend speculates that Mr. Elliot wants to reestablish his
relationship with her family primarily to safeguard his inheritance of the title, fearing a marriage between Sir Walter and Mrs.
Clay. This helps her to understand more fully the dangers of persuasion (Lady Russell wished her to accept Mr. Elliot's likely
offer of marriage) and helps her to develop more confidence in her own judgment.
Ultimately, the Musgroves visit Bath to purchase wedding clothes for their daughters Louisa and Henrietta (who has become
engaged to Hayter). Captain Wentworth and his friend Captain Harville accompany them. In a tender scene, Anne and Wentworth
reconcile and renew their engagement. The match is now more palatable to Anne's family -- their waning fortunes and Wentworth's
waxing ones have made a considerable difference. Also, ever overvaluing good looks, Sir Walter is favorably impressed with his
future son-in-law's appearance. Lady Russell admits she has been completely wrong about Captain Wentworth, and she and Anne
remain friends.
Main characters
Sir Walter Elliot, Bt. -- A vain and self-satisfied baronet, Sir Walter's profligacy
since the death of his prudent wife 13 years before has put his family in financial straits. These are severe enough to force him
to lease his estate, Kellynch Hall, to Admiral Croft and take a more economical residence in Bath.
Elizabeth Elliot -- The eldest daughter of Sir Walter, who encourages her father's imprudent spending and extravagance.
She and her father routinely put their interests ahead of Anne's, regarding her as inconsequential.
Anne Elliot -- The second daughter of Sir Walter is unmarried. 8 years ago, she
fell in love with Captain Wentworth, but was persuaded (the persuasion of the title) by Lady Russell to reject his
proposal, because of his poverty and uncertain future.
Mary Musgrove -- The youngest daughter of Sir Walter, married to Charles Musgrove. She is attention-seeking, always
looking for ways she might have been slighted or not given her full due, and often claims illness when she is upset. She greatly
opposes sister-in-law Henrietta's interest in marrying Charles Hayter, who Mary feels is beneath them.
Charles Musgrove -- Husband of Mary and heir to the Musgrove estate. He had wanted to marry Anne and settled for Mary
(much to the disappointment of the Musgrove family, and to his misfortune) when Anne refused him due to her continued love for
Wentworth.
Lady Russell -- A friend of the Elliots, particularly Anne. She is instrumental in Sir Walter's decision to leave
Kellynch hall and avoid financial crisis. Years ago, she persuaded Anne to turn down Captain Wentworth's proposal of marriage.
While far more sensible than Sir Walter Elliot, she shares his great concern with rank and did not think Wentworth good enough
for Anne because of his inferior birth and financial status.
Mrs. Clay -- A poor widow, daughter of Sir Walter's lawyer, and intimate 'friend' of Elizabeth Elliot. She aims to
flatter Sir Walter into marriage, while her oblivious friend looks on.
Captain Frederick Wentworth - A naval officer who some years ago proposed to Anne. At the time, he had no fortune and
uncertain prospects, but owing to much success in the Napoleonic Wars, his situation has
greatly improved. One of two brothers of Sophia Croft.
Admiral Croft -- Good-natured, plainspoken tenant at Kellynch Hall and brother-in-law of Captain Wentworth.
Sophia Croft -- Sister of Captain Wentworth and wife of Admiral Croft. She offers Anne an example of a strong-minded
woman who wed for love instead of money.
Louisa Musgrove -- Second sister of Charles Musgrove, aged about 19. Louisa is a high-spirited young lady who has
recently returned with her sister from school. Captain Wentworth admires her for her resolve and determination, especially in
contrast to Anne's prudence and what he sees as Anne's lack of conviction. She is ultimately engaged to Captain Benwick.
Henrietta Musgrove -- Eldest sister of Charles Musgrove, aged about 20. Henrietta is informally engaged to her cousin
Charles Hayter, but is nevertheless tempted by the more dashing Captain Wentworth.
Captain Harville -- A friend of Captain Wentworth. Severely wounded two years ago and discharged at half-pay, he and
his family have settled in nearby Lyme.
Captain James Benwick -- A friend of Captain Harville. Benwick had been engaged to marry Captain Harville's sister
Fanny, but she died while Benwick was at sea. Benwick's loss has left him melancholic and a lover of poetry. His enjoyment of
reading makes him one of the few characters in the story to find an intellectual connection with Anne, and it is implied that he
might have an interest in Anne. But Benwick ultimately becomes engaged to Louisa Musgrove.
Mr. William Elliot -- A relation and the heir presumptive of Sir Walter, who
became estranged from the family when he wed a woman of much lower social rank, for her fortune. Sir Walter had hoped William
would marry Elizabeth Elliot. He is now a widower. Now wanting very much to inherit the title, he mends the rupture in order to
keep an eye on the ambitious Mrs. Clay. If Sir Walter married her, his inheritance would be endangered. When he meets Anne by
accident, his interest is piqued.
Mrs. Smith - a friend of Anne Elliot who lives in Bath. She is a widow and has suffered ill health and financial
difficulties. She keeps abreast of the doings of Bath society through news she gets from her nurse, Nurse Rooke, who also works
for a friend of William Elliot's. Her financial problems could have been straightened out with some assistance from William
Elliot, her husband's former friend, but Elliot would not exert himself, leaving her much impoverished.
Lady Dalrymple -- a viscountess, cousin to Sir Walter. She occupies an exalted
position in society by virtue of wealth and rank and Sir Walter and Elizabeth are eager to be seen at Bath in the company of this
great relation.
Literary significance & criticism
Persuasion is widely appreciated as a moving love story despite what has been labelled as a simple plot, and
exemplifies Austen's acclaimed wit and ironic narrative style.[citation needed] Austen wrote Persuasion in a hurry, during the onset of the illness
from which she eventually died; as a result, the novel is both shorter and less polished than Mansfield Park and Emma, and was not subject to the
usual pattern of careful retrospective revision.
Although the impact of Austen's failing health at the time of writing this novel cannot be overlooked, the novel is strikingly
original in several ways. Persuasion is the first of Austen's novels to feature as the central character a woman who is
well past the first bloom of youth; biographer Claire Tomalin characterizes the book as
Austen's "present to herself, to Miss Sharp, to Cassandra, to Martha Lloyd . . . to all women who had lost their chance in life and would never enjoy a second
spring."[1]
At the same time, the novel is a paean to the self-made man. Captain Wentworth is just one of several naval officers in the
story who have risen from humble beginnings to affluence and status on the strength of merit and luck, not by inheritance. The
success of Austen's own two brothers in the Royal Navy is probably significant. There are also clear parallels with the earlier
novel Mansfield Park as there are inherent and sustained messages of the
importance of constancy in the face of adversity and of the need to endure.
Allusions/references from other works
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
Persuasion has been the subject of several adaptations:
- 1960: Persuasion, BBC miniseries starring
Daphne Slater as Anne and Paul Daneman as Captain
Wentworth.
- 1971: Persuasion, BBC miniseries starring
Anne Firbank as Anne and Bryan Marshall as Captain
Wentworth.
References
- ^ Claire Tomalin, Jane Austen: A Life (New York: Vintage, 1997), p.
256
External links
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