I just finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen.
In Persuasion we find the words and action of “persuading” throughout. My husband read this for a class in college and he underlined every word that could be used to persuade. I found that so helpful reading this time through. I discovered how many different people used it; the woman who didn’t want Anne to marry Captain Wentworth is very persuasive. Almost all of her speeches are to push the listener in one direction or another. Anne is very aware of this and more than once is described as “looking towards Lady Russell” to see what her next reaction would be. Anne’s father, Sir Elliot, and sister, Elizabeth, are easily persuaded. They follow fashion, trends; they are vain, and conceited and desire followers, though they have no strength of soul.
The greatest persuasion, of course, is in the course of love. A cousin, Mr. Eliot, attempts to woo Anne. His words are all flattery and his actions are good. She and the rest of the family are over come by his attentions. However, Anne remembers his character from years ago, even that which was only a rumor and it is not consistent with his conduct now and so she doesn’t trust him fully until the two characters are reconciled. There is another love story, one between Anne and Captain Wentworth.
Anne is persuaded that Captain Wentworth doesn’t love her. She avoids him when she thinks he is wooing another. Captain Wentworth is persuaded the he still loves Anne by watching her from a distance and seeing her character. He says at the end that “her character was fixed on her mind as perfect” and he never saw her “equal”. He is persuaded by her good character that she truly was the one for him. In other words, Anne herself persuaded him to marry her.
There are two scenes in which Anne goes out of her way to influence Captain Wentworth, and rightly so. She knows they are both free to marry and she suspects him of admiring her and encourages him in the hope of a proposal. The first scene is at the concert where she catches his attention and talks with him for a good while before the evening begins. During the concert, Mr. Elliot sits with her and Captain Wentworth discovers a rival. Anne is persuaded the he is jealous, but can’t do more than act and her actions aren’t loud enough to convince yet. The second scene is in the rooms with the Musgroves and while Captain Wentworth is writing a letter, Anne falls into conversation with Caption Harville, which is famous for it’s conclusion. Captain Wentworth over hears and, I think, Anne knows he is listening and thus says more than she might have. Harville is persuaded that men love deeper, while Anne is persuaded that women love longer and thus better. When a man must toil through life, his love though deep and rich must not last long or it would be too much to bear, says Anne. While a women has not the same cares and concerns, her love last longer and is the better of the two. Captain Harville and Anne don’t agree in the end, but she has said enough for Captain Wentworth to be convinced that she could be in love with him still.
Not only does Anne persuade Captain Wentworth to marry her through her words and actions, but through her character and steadfastness of heart. Captain Wentworth, in turn, persuades Anne through his loyalty towards his friends and companions. He also persuades himself by watching Anne and how she treats those around her.
