Jane Austen Persuasion
Matthew Elmasri
Sam Arkin
Humanities Core 1A
Monday December 7, 2009 Obliging Compliance and Private Rapture Jane Austen weaves the theme of travel throughout her novel, Persuasion, to solidify the value she places on sincerity of character in relation to social decorum. However, travel in this context is more broadly defined as any change or movement from one place to another. Changes of setting, social standing, or time, for instance, are all examples of travel that result in the reinforcement of Anne and Captain Wentworth’s sincerity and, in turn, knowledge of the other’s character. The scene where they finally reveal their love for each other after being separated for eight years is the prime example of Austen’s conviction that while social etiquette is an integral part of society and must be obeyed, sincerity allows Anne and Wentworth to be justified in their act of love, paradoxically transcending social decorum. It is through travel that their respective characters develop and they gain an understanding of the other’s character. In contrast to her intense encouragement of genuine character, Austen scorns conforming to a societal mold and letting social convention govern our actions. While decorum is crucial to the order of society, Anne and Captain Wentworth are not limited to a rigorous fulfillment of a strict code of conduct that would strip them of their sincere human nature. Rather, they surpass social decorum without violating it. Throughout the entire novel, social etiquette invariably rules people’s actions and seemingly eliminates any opportunity for sincerity. But what keeps us sincere and prevents us from becoming mere robots is our foundation of character and genuine knowledge of the character of those around us. Travel for Anne and Captain Wentworth, in the forms of setting, time, and social standing, develops their sincerity of character—the moral justification of their actions. The chief process by which sincerity and knowledge of
Sam Arkin
Humanities Core 1A
Monday December 7, 2009 Obliging Compliance and Private Rapture Jane Austen weaves the theme of travel throughout her novel, Persuasion, to solidify the value she places on sincerity of character in relation to social decorum. However, travel in this context is more broadly defined as any change or movement from one place to another. Changes of setting, social standing, or time, for instance, are all examples of travel that result in the reinforcement of Anne and Captain Wentworth’s sincerity and, in turn, knowledge of the other’s character. The scene where they finally reveal their love for each other after being separated for eight years is the prime example of Austen’s conviction that while social etiquette is an integral part of society and must be obeyed, sincerity allows Anne and Wentworth to be justified in their act of love, paradoxically transcending social decorum. It is through travel that their respective characters develop and they gain an understanding of the other’s character. In contrast to her intense encouragement of genuine character, Austen scorns conforming to a societal mold and letting social convention govern our actions. While decorum is crucial to the order of society, Anne and Captain Wentworth are not limited to a rigorous fulfillment of a strict code of conduct that would strip them of their sincere human nature. Rather, they surpass social decorum without violating it. Throughout the entire novel, social etiquette invariably rules people’s actions and seemingly eliminates any opportunity for sincerity. But what keeps us sincere and prevents us from becoming mere robots is our foundation of character and genuine knowledge of the character of those around us. Travel for Anne and Captain Wentworth, in the forms of setting, time, and social standing, develops their sincerity of character—the moral justification of their actions. The chief process by which sincerity and knowledge of