Women perspective in “Persuasion”

Running head: WOMEN PERSPECTIVE IN PERSUASION
Women perspective in “Persuasion”
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WOMEN PERSPECTIVE IN PERSUASION
The significance of literature in portraying the hidden realities of any society,
challenging the existing societal norms and bringing in the necessary revolution is immensely
huge and has a legacy of centuries behind it. The characters sketches edged in the literary
masterpieces by immensely talented writers are so real that their significance and existence
can be felt even after centuries elapse.
Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion is basically one of her last works which was fully
completed and published six months after her death in the year 1817 (Morini and
Massimiliano). The centric theme of this novel is based on the rigid issues of societal class
distinctions accompanied with social mobility along with how Anne Elliot, the second
daughter of Sir Walter and an extremely refined, strong-edge character sketched by Austen as
many of his other lady characters fought her way against all odds to win her love at last
(Posusta). However the authenticity of the name “Persuasion” revolves exclusively around
how Anne is strongly persuaded by her very close acquaintance, her godmother Lady Russel
to not marry the love of her life Captain Frederick Wentworth and her emotional battle to
finally defy all odds and whole heartedly accept the love of her life (Simionato).
The most visible attribute of the novel is no doubt the strong and evidently sketched
character of Anne Elliot, a complete opposite of people surrounding her. She is elegant,
sensible, calm and undoubtedly very capable daughter of the aristocratic Elliot family at
Kellynch Hall (Boarcăş). Rightfully termed as a protagonist of the novel Anne is definitely
not the prettiest of all the young ladies in the novel but essentially becomes more attractive
when the readers are acquainted with her genuine qualities (Warhol). She is not certainly like
her spendthrift father and most importantly quite resembles to her deceased mother. Her
practicality and rational views on love and life are undoubtedly admirable and sets higher
standards for women in today’s age. She restores one’s belief in love which she holds for her
beloved Wentworth and helps the audience understand that the right kind of love always

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WOMEN PERSPECTIVE IN PERSUASION
comes at the right time. Anne Elliot appears to an exceptionally determined and strong lady
who knows when to leave and wait for the captain to attain his best to restore a safe and
happily ever after.
The character development of Anne can be altogether put in a nutshell and can be
analysed in three distinctive stages (Rahman). Austen is known for her distinguished
presentation of her heroes and heroines, defying the age old gender roles and presenting them
as more of equals. Beginning with her young and blooming nineteen year old self, who goes
head over heels for her love Wentworth. Then next comes her prudent and responsible self
who understands the odds and uncertainty which relates to her choice of love yet feels void
and heartbroken to let go of her loved one. The character still shines in all her glory and
comes out very powerful as witnessed in one of the debates which arise between Captain
Harville and Anne (Weir). The last stage of development for this character is her ability to
finally understand that patience and hope is all one needs to have in order to achieve beautiful
things in life. She slowly but steadily realises that though the advice given by her godmother
Lady Russel was misguided yet her persuasion did not have any wrong intentions.
Jane Austen through her character Anne Elliot does not intend to emerge as a
revolutionist rather a person who is well aware of her social responsibilities and is quite
respectful of the societal norms and expectation (Nesbit). Austen leaves no stone unturned
when it comes to the portrayal of her strong women characters which is even very much
evident in “Persuasion”. She sketches Anne as one of her own mirror-self, a lady who firmly
believes in love and is strong enough to go and grow through every pain to finally achieve it
(Karlsson and Carolina). However some critics often put Anne Elliot in clear contrast with
Jane Austen’s portrayal of other heroines. While most of her heroines are coming into or at
the very zenith of their blooming youth, Anne Elliot as the novel opens is in her late twenties,
established, grown and ripened beautifully with the endurance of all the pain (Bennett).