Persuasion Jane Austen

Persuasion, written by Jane Austen, is the story of a restored relationship between the characters Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth, and the influence of the other characters that surround their lives. As the name implies, persuasion is the main idea of the novel. Lady Elliot plays a key role in convincing Anne to follow her advice on who to marry. This action leads to the main conflict between Anne and Lady Russell, as well as a conflict with Wentworth. Anne is the middle child of Sir Walter Elliot and Lady Elliot. Lady Elliot is deceased when the story begins leaving Sir Walter with the three girls, the other two being Elizabeth Elliot (the oldest of the sisters) and Mary Elliot. Though she is the youngest of the sisters, Mary is
At twenty-seven, Anne “…thought very differently from what she had been made to think at nineteen” (28). She has grown up and does not need the guidance of Lady Russell. While visiting the Musgrove household, Wentworth takes a walk with Louisa Musgrove, Mary’s sister-in-law. Anne is able to hear their conversation on the other side of the hedge, and notices that during this conversation Wentworth begins to talk about the firmness of a hazelnut. He says that “[His] first wish for all, whom [he] is interested in, is that they should be firm” (84). Soon after, he learns that Charles Musgrove, Mary’s husband, asked Anne to marry in the past but she did not accept. Louisa tells him that “They think Charles might not be learned and bookish enough to please Lady Russell, and…she persuaded Anne to refuse him” (84). “[Anne] saw how her own character was considered by Captain Wentworth” (85) which was another result of Lady Russell’s
Though Anne finally finds a man to marry, Lady Russell remains unhappy with the result. Anne realizes that “[Lady Russell] had been too quick in suspecting [Captain Wentworth’s manners] to indicate a character of dangerous impetuosity” (235) and that Lady Russell must now learn that she had mistaken Wentworth to be unmatched for Anne. Her influence over Anne’s relationships had much to do with her wanting the best for Anne, but her judgment of their character as well. Lady Russell was not very fond of Wentworth‘s wittiness, therefore, she convinced Anne that he was not the best match for her. Charles’ unintelligent manner gave Lady Russell a reason to again convince Anne that he was less suited for her as