Jane Austen

Jane Austen was born in 1775 at Steventon, Hampshire, a small village in the southwesst of England, to George Austen, a rector and his wife, Cassandra. Like many girls of her day, she was educated at home, where she began her literary career by writing parodies and skits for the amusement of her large family. She spent her short and uneventful life within the circle of very close and affectionate family; she showed an interest in literature and writing very early. Starting from the early production as "Sense and Sensibility" (1811) and "Pride and Prejudice"(1813), her most mature works are considered " Mansfield Park" (1814) "Emma"(1816) and "Persuasion"(1818). Although Austen never lived apart from her family, her work shows a wordly and wise sensibility; she had no place for great passion, her real concern was with people, and the analisys of character and conduct. She remained fully committed to the common sense and moral principles of the previous generation but checked them through her own direct observation and spontaneous feelings. She probably died of a disease in 1817 All her novels had benn published anonymously, in fact her identity was revealed by her brother Henry, however Jane's fame was already well established also among her contemporaries ad Sir Walter Scott who wrote "exquisite touch which renders ordinary commonplace things and characters interesting", underlining the greatness of Jane's personality.

Persuasion: the plot

Persuasion represents the maturity of Austen's work, and more than her other novels, evidences Austen's comic yet making satire of the titled upper classes. It is considered her most mellow and benign, as well as her most romantic. It is a story of perseverence and patience. The Elliots are a respected, titled, landowning family. Lady Elliot, Sir Walter's wife, died fourtee n years ago and left him with three daughters: Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. Both Elizabeth and Anne are single, but Mary, the youngest is married to a wealthy man named Charles Musgrove; they live close by. Sir Walter, who lavishly overspend s, has brought the family into great debt. But with no other option, the Elliots decide they must relocate to a house in Bath, intending to rent their family estate, Kellynch Hall. They soon find excellent tenants to rent their home; Admiral and Mrs. Croft are wealthy and well-mannered Navy people who have a model marriage. Anne Elliot, the middle daughter, is also excited to meet the Crofts; Mrs. Croft is the sister of the man Anne loves. Eight years ago, she was engaged to be married to Captain Frederick Wentworth, but Lady Russell persuaded her that Captain Wentworth's social position was not enough for her. With the Crofts at Kellynch Hall, Anne hopes to see Captain Wentworth again. Anne goes to stay with her sister Mary at Uppercross Cottage for a period of two months

and very soon news comes that Captain Wentworth has returned from sea and is staying with his sister at Kellynch. Captain Wentworth makes friends with Mr. Musgrove, and he becomes a daily visitor at Uppercross. A nne is at first anxious to see him again after such a long time, but his actions toward her are merely detached and polite. He seems more smitten with Henrietta and Louisa Musgrove. Anne resigns herself to the idea that she has lost Captain Wentworth's love forever. During a family trip to Lyme Anne's tenacity and determination in saving Louisa from a bad fall affects again Captain Wentworth; after Christmas, Lady Russell and Anne decide that they must rejoin the rest of the Elliot family in Bath, much to Anne's dismay. Captain Wentworth soon arrives in Bath. He is now a much richer man than he was eight years ago and Sir Walter reluctantly admits him into their social circle. He writes Anne a love letter in which is pours his true, constant, and undying feelings of love for her. Anne is thrilled and they become engaged and as all the stories with an happy endind they finally marry after the approval of Sir Walter Scott and Lady Russel.

Persuasion: the main theme

The novel asks whether it is better to be firm in one's convictions or to be open to the suggestions of others. After being dismissed by Anne eight years ago, Captain Wentworth believes strongly that any woman he marries will have a strong character and independent mind. While Anne believes that these are good qualities, she is also receptive to a sense of obligation and duty. She concludes that it was right for her to allow herself to be persuaded because "a strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman's portion." In the end, Austen's ability is to let the reader to judge whether persuasion is a positive or negative force in the novel.