Thoughts on Austens Persuasion - 1083 Words

Faith Bianchi Thomas Edison State College | March 2013 Dr. Christine Hansen One Writer’s Vision ENG-393 | Written Assignment 3 April 17, 2013 Admiral Croft who was among the nouveau rich, had the financial means to rent Kellnych from Sir Walter, one of the so-called landed gentry. How does Jane Austens treatment of class and social mobility reveal about these men and their women such as Anne Elliot and Mrs. Smith? Which group fares better and why? Class in Persuasion Jane Austen’s Persuasion challenges the notion that one’s social class determines one’s happiness. In the novel there is the upper class, which includes Sir Walter Elliot and his family; the nouveau rich, such as Admiral Croft and Captain Wentworth; and the poor†¦show more content†¦They are often seen arm-in-arm, enjoying nature or exploring the grounds at Kellynch Hall. Perhaps a somewhat unconventional couple, Admiral Croft allows his wife to take the reins in a carriage (Austen 62) and go with him on his naval journeys. When they visit Bath, they have no shortage of acquaintances who are delighted to see them (Austen 111). Genuinely lovely and loving, the Crofts, though not the main characters in the novel, outshine the others as the picture of true happiness. Anne Elliot, the protagonist, is unlike the rest of her family. While she does not completely disregard social class (for example, in thinking Mrs. Clay below her father and not suitable as a marriage partner), she does not allow class to dictate her acquaintances. At age nineteen, she falls in love with Captain Wentworth. This love does not wax or wane based on the amount of money he possesses. In Bath, Anne renews a schoolgirl friendship with Mrs. Smith, who is now a poor, crippled, helpless widow (Austen 101) that lives in the humble Westgate Buildings. At one point in the novel, Anne passes up spending time with her cousin of royalty, Lady Dalrymple, in order to honor a prior engagement with Mrs. Smith (Austen 103). While life has not been kind to Mrs. Smith, Anne observes that she is not bitter, but content: †¦Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of languor and depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment. How could it be?—She watched—observed—reflected—andShow MoreRelatedA Close Analysis Of Jane Austen s Persuasion1098 Words   |  5 PagesA close analysis of Jane Austen’s Persuasion (Extract 3) Many readers of Persuasion believe Austen uses the namesake â€Å"persuasion† too neutrally. She appears to passively describe the results when the protagonist is persuaded to abandon Wentworth’s first proposal, but actually has much to say on being persuadable, and mainly argues that it is not inherently wrong. Persuasion in the novel’s early chapters works in two forms: as an overpowering force on the foolish like Sir Walter, or as an importantRead More Consider the implications of the title, Persuasion Essay1012 Words   |  5 PagesConsider the implications of the title, Persuasion â€Å"Something intended to induce belief or action† is how the Oxford Dictionary defines the term persuasion. To consider the implications of the title successfully, it is essential that we first understand the term persuasion within the context of the novel. The Oxford Dictionary also defines the term ‘persuade’ as â€Å"to successfully urge a person to do; to talk into or out of an action†, â€Å"to attract, lure or entice† or as â€Å"to talk earnestlyRead MoreEssay on Jane Austens Attitudes to Marriage in Persuasion1231 Words   |  5 PagesJane Austens Attitudes to Marriage in Persuasion In Persuasion, marriage is one of the major themes of the novel, and Austens attitudes towards marriage are present in chapter four of the novel. The first episode in which we can examine Austens attitudes to marriage is in chapter four. In chapter four we must notice that there is no direct speech, which shows that all of the narration is Austen, with her views and opinions being presented to us. When talking of Mr. Wentworth, AustenRead MoreEssay on Authenticity in Northanger Abbey1544 Words   |  7 Pagesnarrative closure is obvious to everybody. The advantage of being a novelist is that you can decide where you want to stop. One of the biggest differences between Austens novels and their current screen versions -- two of which were written for TV -- is that Emma Thompsons screenplay for Sense and Sensibility, Nick Dears for Persuasion and Andrew Davies for Pride and Prejudice -- unlike all of the originals -- were circumscribed first and last by material constraints For the six-part BBC PrideRead MoreJane Austens Persuasion Essay1625 Words   |  7 PagesIn the early 1800s Jane Austen wrote what would be her last novel, Persuasion. Persuasion is set during the â€Å"Georgian Society† which greatly affects the characters views and actions throughout the novel. Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth quickly fell in love when Anne was just nineteen years old, but because he wasnt wealthy enough, Anne was not given the permission by her father, Sir Walter, to marry him. Eight years after this incident, the roles have reversed; Sir Walter has lost all of hisRead More Little Friendship in Jane Austens Persuasion Essay1432 Words   |  6 PagesLittle Friendship in Austens Persuasion Jane Austens Persuasion is a dark novel. From the jolting breaks in the romantic drama--the falls of little Charles and Louisa Musgrove--to the heroines depressing existence--Anne Elliot has a great tendency to lowness (Austen 66)-- to the overall autumnal mood, the work is at times a gloomy, though always interesting, read. Perhaps its darkest facet though is the ubiquitous presence of an antagonist. While Mr. Elliot appears, most blatantlyRead MoreJane Austen s Sense And Sensibility983 Words   |  4 PagesJane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility takes a critical look at the limitations women possessed at the turn of the eighteenth century. Consequently, the success of a woman was entirely dependent on a man. In the novel, the main protagonists represent these two persuasions of thought. Elenor Dashwood, the eldest daughter in the Dashwood household, portrays sense. In contrast, her younger sister, Marianne Dashwood represents sensibility. The dichotomy of the title carri es historical significance in aRead MorePersuasion, By Jane Austen1550 Words   |  7 PagesPaper #1 Prompt #9 In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, it may appear to some readers that Austen writes from a conservative perspective that reinforces women’s submissive and inferior roles in society. Many of the female characters seem to perpetuate traditional and oppressive gender roles, and a central plot line for most of the female characters involves finding a man to marry as a means of attaining ultimate happiness. However, while there are many examples of Austen’s adherence to the social standardsRead MoreMarriage Traditions in Persuasion by Jane Austen Essay1096 Words   |  5 Pagesexpectations, are brought on by many different factors that include: for love, for money, for climbing social status, escapism, survival, etc. In Jane Austen’s novels, she focuses on the importance of marriage in her world because she wanted to emphasize how marriage is the most important life event of a woman as this would determine her place in society. Persuasion shows readers good and bad examples of marriage: the amiable Crofts and other couples such as Sir Walter Lady Elliot and the Smiths. Jane AustenRead MorePersuasions Two Alternate Love Endings981 Words   |  4 PagesPersuasion’s Two Alternate Love Endings Within Jane Austen’s book Persuasion, she addresses issues of wealth, class, looks, and love through her use of humor. Love plays a major role in this story because to Sir Elliot, the father of Anne Elliot, a major character, looks and one’s fortune and one’s position in society. Anne Elliot wanted to marry Captain Wentworth, however since he was poor at the time, Sir Elliot looked does upon him and did not want Anne to marry him: Anne turned down