Lincoln Academy
Josee Arnold
Mrs. Heckendorn
English IV AP
May 3, 2014
The Exploration of Marriage in the 18th Century In Persuasion, Jane Austen explores Anne’s love life in many ways. The novel is set in the 18th century where there are many laws against marriage. For instance, women were expected to marry by a certain age. If women do not marry by a certain age, they are considered an “old maid”. Also, if women were widowed with no children they are considered “old maid”. Women were expected to marry their social rank. Marrying wealthy was necessary because after coming of age, their husbands were supposed to take care of them. Women in that time period had no rights and were not acknowledged. In laws, they were called “wives” not by name. Throughout Persuasion, there are many romances that are out of the laws. Anne is a beautiful woman that is in love with Captain Wentsworth. There were a proposal between Wentsworth and Anne, but Wentsworth did not have the same social rank or wealth as Anne did. Lady Russell talked Anne out of the engagement by saying it is in her best interest to end the love affair. Anne, then, broke Wentsworth’s proposal. There were no consolation after the ending of the engagement. Wentsworth went into the navy, while Anne lived her life. Anne went through many love affairs throughout the seven years, which all ended by the cause of Anne. Anne still loved Wentsworth profoundly. Some six years later, Anne’s family goes into a slight debt and rents out their mansion to a couple named the Crofts. Mrs. Croft’s brother just happens to be a familiar person of Anne’s interest. It is Captain Wentsworth! Anne stays with her sister Mary because she did not want to move to Bathe right away. The Crofts invite Anne, Mary, and Charles over to visit the mansion, when Wentsworth makes a visit to see his sister. No one has any clue about Anne or Wentsworth, which gives the novel a great twist. Of course Wentsworth has not forgiven Anne after all those
Mrs. Heckendorn
English IV AP
May 3, 2014
The Exploration of Marriage in the 18th Century In Persuasion, Jane Austen explores Anne’s love life in many ways. The novel is set in the 18th century where there are many laws against marriage. For instance, women were expected to marry by a certain age. If women do not marry by a certain age, they are considered an “old maid”. Also, if women were widowed with no children they are considered “old maid”. Women were expected to marry their social rank. Marrying wealthy was necessary because after coming of age, their husbands were supposed to take care of them. Women in that time period had no rights and were not acknowledged. In laws, they were called “wives” not by name. Throughout Persuasion, there are many romances that are out of the laws. Anne is a beautiful woman that is in love with Captain Wentsworth. There were a proposal between Wentsworth and Anne, but Wentsworth did not have the same social rank or wealth as Anne did. Lady Russell talked Anne out of the engagement by saying it is in her best interest to end the love affair. Anne, then, broke Wentsworth’s proposal. There were no consolation after the ending of the engagement. Wentsworth went into the navy, while Anne lived her life. Anne went through many love affairs throughout the seven years, which all ended by the cause of Anne. Anne still loved Wentsworth profoundly. Some six years later, Anne’s family goes into a slight debt and rents out their mansion to a couple named the Crofts. Mrs. Croft’s brother just happens to be a familiar person of Anne’s interest. It is Captain Wentsworth! Anne stays with her sister Mary because she did not want to move to Bathe right away. The Crofts invite Anne, Mary, and Charles over to visit the mansion, when Wentsworth makes a visit to see his sister. No one has any clue about Anne or Wentsworth, which gives the novel a great twist. Of course Wentsworth has not forgiven Anne after all those