Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Shalini Prasad
- Feb 8, 2018
- 2 min read
We have all been fans of Jane Austen’s stories and I am confident of the ladies’ love for Mr. Darcy. After being completely obsessed with her books in the past, I recently realized that I haven’t read Persuasion. My friend at work had a copy and was kind enough to lend it to me.
Synopsis:
Twenty-seven-year-old Anne Elliot is Austen’s most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Fredrick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne’s family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?
Review:
I wonder what new could be said about Jane Austen and Persuasion that hasn’t been said before. The story has the signature touches of Austen – the English society, customs, the gatherings and visiting other places for weeks on end.
Austen has captured the vanity of people and the society very well. You can see that in Sir Walter self-obsession and his daughter Elizabeth’s conceit in the first chapter. Even what contributes being a gentleman. Initially, gentlemen are men born into money and grow up learning the various arts and etiquette. In Persuasion, however, the title of a gentleman can be earned by men born into poor families through the fortune they earn through their work in the army. Hence, Captain Wentworth was deemed a suitable match upon his return from the navy.
Austen is well known for creating a female protagonist who is intelligent, witty, way ahead of her time and not afraid to show it. In Persuasion, the main character, Anne is a more quite heroine preferring to stay under the radar. In the beginning of the book, she is shown to be so insignificant to her family that she is referred to as “furniture” by her father and sister. As the story progresses, we see her brought into the limelight. Her importance and influence in other people’s lives showcase how much she is different from the rest of her family.
Anne is kind, strong and a great person to have during a crisis. She is more mature than Austen’s other heroines and love has already passed her by. A little over eight years ago, Anne turns down Wentworth under the persuasion of Lady Russell who convinced her he is not in a position to take care of her. That would have been the end of it if not for the return of Wentworth years later. He comes back richer, more handsome and a Captain to boot! The rest of the story revolves around the question: will Anne and Wentworth get back together?
You’ll have to read the book to find out. I have to say I loved it and I am sure you will too.
Rating: 4/5
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