I’ve recently finished reading Persuasion, a beautiful novel by Jane Austen. It tells the tale of a 27 year old woman who finds herself once again in proximity with the handsome, ambitious man whose proposal she turned down eight years prior, at the persuasion of her family and a family friend.
He is now advanced in his successful navy career, financially wealthy, and the target of many young women as a marital match. She herself has become subdued over time as a result of her disappointment, and near being considered a spinster, until a fateful trip where she meets another young man who takes notice of her.
This story is full of wonderful examples of fine masculine and feminine character. Anne Elliot, our heroine, maintained a lot of respect for her family, though it was not mutual. She did not gossip or meddle, she spent time with the less fortunate and treated them as equals, and she also felt it important to spend time to understand a person’s character. She had high standards for herself and for a possible mate. Frederick Wentworth, her former fiance, also shows through many interactions his high level of integrity and constancy. The many other characters of this book are well developed, and many small stories exist within this larger story that are very enjoyable.
Certain parts of the novel keenly affected me. I laughed when I read Anne’s sister’s letters to her…two in a row with very different tones. I was shocked to understand Mrs. Clay’s secret relationship (and never suspected it!) with a certain other character in the book. I felt very moved by the beautiful love between Admiral and Mrs. Croft. I could imagine the guilt that must have been felt by Lady Russell when all secrets came out into the light, and I was greatly pained by the misfortunes of Mrs. Smith.
Jane Austen has a style of writing that is very true to life. When she describes the Musgroves, listening kindly but without interest to Anne entertain with skill, and with great enthusiasm to their less talented daughters play, I could imagine any parent that would give their child preferential compliments. When Captain Wentworth is prompted to take new notice of Anne upon seeing another man notice her, it seemed so close to human nature. The entire novel was skillfully written and so true to life, that one could imagine taking walks and travelling to Bath along with the characters in the book, and experiencing the same thoughts and feelings alluded to.
Austen does not spell everything out, as in life. She rather allows us to understand much of the story ourselves, by simply telling us what Anne could see, and allowing us to fill in the blanks. I am very fond of this novel, and plan to reread it after I have finished the remainder of Austen’s novels. The character and manners of her various characters alone is worthy of study.
The Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of the book starring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds is very good, if anyone is interested in watching a film version of the novel.
My next novel is Pride and Prejudice.
Read more Jane Austen posts.
Persuasion is my favorite of the Austen novels, very much for the things you point out. Austen herself is a wonderful writer – Amazing, isn’t it? how 200 years later, human nature does not change, however much cultures and social issues do.
I’m delighted you’re reading these wonderful books. Northanger Abbey is next on my list, then all that remains in my current read-through is Emma, which I’ve left til last because she annoys me so.
Oooh, I should look into “Persuasion.” The only Austen book I’ve read is “Pride and Prejudice”