1. “Vanity was the beginning and end of Sir Walter Eliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation.”Page 10The narrator of Persuasion makes clear that Sir Walter Elliot is a man who prizes himself—his looks and his title—above everyone and everything else, including his own children. This vanity causes him to see everything through the …
“I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.” So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her, which was, Mrs Clays …
Love and MarriageIn Persuasion, marriage is not just a relationship based on love between a man and a woman. In fact, such a marriage is the exception rather than the rule. As the daughter of a landed baronet, Anne Elliot and her sisters must marry within certain social parameters: their suitors must be of a …
Value and WorthAusten continually uses the words “value” and “worth” in Persuasion, mostly in connection with Anne Elliot. Sir Walter and Elizabeth, as well as others in the novel, judge people based upon what worth they possess (what status and income they have) as well as how valuable they might be to them. Lady Dalrymplesees …
1. Like all Austen’s novels, Persuasion ends happily with a marriage between the heroine and the man she loves. In Persuasion, however, numerous types of marriages exist, from good to bad. What does Anne Elliot learn about marriage from observing the various marriages of the people around her?Anne Elliot has ample opportunity to observe and …
Captain BenwickCaptain Benwick is also a fellow naval officer and friend of Captain Wentworth’s. He was engaged to Captain Harville’s sister, Fanny, but she died before they could marry. Captain Benwick lives with the Harvilles’ and falls in love with Louisa Musgrove during her convalescence at their house. Mrs. ClayMrs. Clay is the daughter of …
Jane Austen was born at Steventon Rectory in Hampshire, England, on December 16, 1775. Her parents, Reverend George Austen and Cassandra Leigh Austen, had seven other children: James, Edward, Henry, Cassandra, Francis, George, and Charles. Jane was the seventh child (Charles was the eighth) and, being only the second girl, she was particularly close to …
Summary, Chapter IX, pages 181-199Anne visits Mrs. Smith the next morning to report to her about the concert. Mrs. Smith, however, has already heard about it from a variety of others. She hints that she knows that Anne had a good time, and Anne comes to understand that Mrs. Smith speaks of her evening with …
Summary, Chapter VII, pages 164-171The next day, Anne is out walking with Mr. Elliot, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Clay when a downpour necessitates Elizabeth to get a ride in Lady Dalrymple’s carriage. There is room for only one more lady, and Elizabeth insists Mrs. Clay be that lady. While the ladies wait inside a shop for …
Summary, Chapter V, pages 144-153Anne discovers that an old school friend of hers resides in Bath, and she goes to visit her. She finds her friend, Mrs. Smith, to have changed from a healthy beautiful girl into a sick, poor widow. But Mrs. Smith is still cheerful and welcomes Anne openly. Anne learns that her …
