Persuasion

Persuasion is the last novel completed by Jane Austen. It was published posthumously in 1818, six months after Austen’s death. The story centers around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman whose family is in financial trouble and decides to rent out their estate Kellynch Hall. The new tenants are Admiral Croft and his wife Sophia, who is the sister of Captain Frederick Wentworth.

Anne had been engaged to Wentworth 8 years earlier, but her family and friend Lady Russell persuaded her to break off the engagement because Wentworth was considered an unsuitable match at the time due to his low social status and lack of wealth. Now Wentworth has returned, having gained wealth and status through his naval career during the Napoleonic Wars. Anne still loves him, but Wentworth is unsure if he can forgive Anne for letting herself be persuaded to end their engagement all those years ago.

Recommended for: Fans of Jane Austen’s works and readers interested in classic literature. This novel appeals to those who appreciate Austen’s nuanced exploration of themes like second chances, the power of persuasion, and the complexities of human relationships. It is particularly recommended for individuals who are drawn to Austen’s insightful character portrayals, especially her mature and intelligent heroine Anne Elliot. Additionally, readers interested in 19th century British society and the social dynamics of class and status will find Persuasion a compelling and thought-provoking read.

You will:

Enjoy a well-written, compelling story about second chances at love and the complexities of persuasion, written by one of the most celebrated authors in English literature.
Appreciate the character of Anne Elliot, an intelligent and accomplished woman who struggles with the consequences of having been persuaded to give up the man she loves years earlier.
Gain insight into the social dynamics and class distinctions of 19th century England, and how they impact the choices and relationships of the characters.
Explore themes of love, regret, maturity, and the power of persuasion in human interactions.

Plot Summary

Persuasion centers around Anne Elliot, the second daughter of the vain and snobbish Sir Walter Elliot. Eight years prior, the then 19-year-old Anne had fallen in love with the young and ambitious naval officer Frederick Wentworth. However, Anne was persuaded by her family and her close friend Lady Russell to break off the engagement, as Wentworth’s low social status and lack of wealth made him an unsuitable match in their eyes.

Now 27 years old and unmarried, Anne is forced to confront her past when the financially strapped Elliot family decides to rent out their estate of Kellynch Hall. The new tenants are none other than Admiral Croft and his wife Sophia – who happens to be Frederick Wentworth’s sister. Wentworth, now a wealthy and successful naval captain due to his exploits during the Napoleonic Wars, also returns to the area, setting the stage for an emotional reunion with Anne.

As Anne and Wentworth cross paths again, the lingering feelings between them are apparent, though Wentworth seems unsure if he can forgive Anne for allowing herself to be persuaded to end their engagement years ago. Meanwhile, Anne’s vain and scheming relatives, including her father Sir Walter and sister Elizabeth, are focused on securing a potential marriage with their distant cousin, the wealthy Mr. William Elliot, who is the heir to the Elliot estate.

During this time, Anne also reconnects with the Musgrove family, where she encounters Wentworth again. Tensions arise as Wentworth appears interested in pursuing a relationship with one of the Musgrove sisters, Louisa. However, a dramatic accident involving Louisa in the coastal town of Lyme Regis leads Wentworth to reevaluate his feelings for Anne.

As the story progresses, Anne grapples with her lingering love for Wentworth, while also uncovering the true nature of Mr. Elliot, who is revealed to be a calculating opportunist. In a poignant climax, Wentworth confesses his enduring love for Anne, and they reaffirm their commitment to one another, finally free to marry.

Persuasion is a nuanced exploration of the themes of love, regret, and the power of social persuasion. Through the character of Anne Elliot, Austen crafts a mature and introspective heroine who must navigate the complexities of her heart and society to find her happily-ever-after.

Theme and Analysis

The novel explores themes of persuasion, communication, and the choices facing young women in Austen’s era. Austen was highly attuned to the “moral dangers” of persuasion, having herself given advice to a niece that she later regretted. The novel includes various situations where characters try to persuade or influence others.

Persuasion is considered Austen’s most mature and refined novel, written in the final years of her life when she was approaching 40. It shows her mastery of free indirect speech in the narration. Unlike Austen’s earlier novels, Persuasion was not reworked from earlier drafts but written largely within a 2-3 year period.

Some elements of the novel may have been inspired by the real-life naval career of Austen’s brother Charles and his wife Fanny, who shared similarities with the fictional characters of Captain Wentworth and his sister Mrs. Croft. Austen admired Fanny Austen’s devotion to her husband despite the dangers of the Napoleonic Wars.

The novel was not initially as well-received as some of Austen’s earlier works, but gained greater fame and scholarly attention in the later 19th and 20th centuries. Anne Elliot is considered one of Austen’s most mature and well-developed heroines. The novel has been adapted numerous times for film, television, theater, and other media.

Licensing

Jane Austen. Persuasion. Originally published in 1818. This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago. This digital edition is provided by Standard Ebooks under the CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.