Chapter One Of Persuasion Analysis
Jane Austen illustrates her disapproval of the upper class’ vain values through a mocking tone in “Chapter One” of Persuasion. As Austen introduces the characters and their flaws, she reveals the Elliots carry debt, due to Sir Walter. She narrates:
“The Kellynch property was good, but not equal to Sir Walter's apprehension of the state required in its possessor. While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method, moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income; but with her had died all such rightmindedness, and from that period he had been constantly exceeding it. It had not been possible for him to spend less: he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not …show more content…
His understanding of what Kellynch Hall “required in its possessor” conveys his belief that a high position in society requires him to live by lavish standards with trivial luxuries. Austen illustrates the negativity of his spending by explaining the economic “rightmindedness” now absent after Lady Elliot’s death. Her mocking tone reinforces Sir Elliot’s lack of financial sensibility by revealing his strongly rooted belief that he remains “blameless” for the debt he played an obvious role in. No one expects anything but an uncontrollable and excessive lifestyle from someone of his position, and Sir Walter Elliot’s attitude and experience does nothing to change the this. Jane Austen’s explanation of the vain spending and living habits of Sir Walter and the ridiculousness of his inability to retrench portrays her disapproval of the values of the upper class. Jane Austen portrays many characters, not only Sir Walter, as appalled and resentful toward a limiting lifestyle. After trying every shallow attempt to retrench, Elizabeth Elliot ignores any reasonable method to climb out of debt. Jane Austen conveys, “Elizabeth had nothing to propose of deeper efficacy. She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as did her father; and they were neither of them able to devise any means of lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity, or relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne.” (Austen 5).
“The Kellynch property was good, but not equal to Sir Walter's apprehension of the state required in its possessor. While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method, moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income; but with her had died all such rightmindedness, and from that period he had been constantly exceeding it. It had not been possible for him to spend less: he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not …show more content…
His understanding of what Kellynch Hall “required in its possessor” conveys his belief that a high position in society requires him to live by lavish standards with trivial luxuries. Austen illustrates the negativity of his spending by explaining the economic “rightmindedness” now absent after Lady Elliot’s death. Her mocking tone reinforces Sir Elliot’s lack of financial sensibility by revealing his strongly rooted belief that he remains “blameless” for the debt he played an obvious role in. No one expects anything but an uncontrollable and excessive lifestyle from someone of his position, and Sir Walter Elliot’s attitude and experience does nothing to change the this. Jane Austen’s explanation of the vain spending and living habits of Sir Walter and the ridiculousness of his inability to retrench portrays her disapproval of the values of the upper class. Jane Austen portrays many characters, not only Sir Walter, as appalled and resentful toward a limiting lifestyle. After trying every shallow attempt to retrench, Elizabeth Elliot ignores any reasonable method to climb out of debt. Jane Austen conveys, “Elizabeth had nothing to propose of deeper efficacy. She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as did her father; and they were neither of them able to devise any means of lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity, or relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne.” (Austen 5).