We must not consider the implications of the title with a closed mind. When Jane Austen penned her last complete novel, ‘Persuasion’ could be interpreted in two different ways; a strong belief in the process of persuasion of one’s thinking and secondly, the act of being persuaded. Both of these meanings contribute actively to the plot of the novel.
The next question that a reader must confront is whether persuasion is good or bad in the novel. One example we can draw upon is that of Louisa’s fall on the Cobb; “He (Wentworth) advised her against it…he reasoned and talked in vain…she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the lower Cobb, and was taken lifeless!” This shows Louisa’s wilful refusal to succumb to the persuasion of Captain Wentworth. At first, this incident appears grave, but we realise that Louisa will survive, as Austen would not make so light of a fatality. This unfortunate accident develops into a form of beneficial persuasion as it leads to Louisa’s marriage to Benwick. Due to this reasoning, it can be concluded that persuasion can be seen as neither a good or bad thing, merely that it carries beneficial and unfavourable consequences.
The nature of persuasion in the novel is another area of Austen’s writing which we must consider when reading ‘Persuasion’. In accordance with the definition of ‘persuade’ being; “to talk earnestly with a person to secure agreement or compliance” can we not see debate as a form of persuasion? We see debate in the guise of Anne and Harville when they discuss men and women’s fidelity; “it would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved.’ Captain Harville smiled, as much to say ‘Do you claim that for your sex?’” We also see forms of self-persuasion in the novel as Anne listens to Mrs. Smith before forming her judgement of Mr. Elliot; “Mr. Elliot is a man without heart or conscience…He has no feeling for others…He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of justice or compassion. Oh! He is black at heart, hollow and black.” Due to Anne’s persuasion of Mrs. Smith to speak the truth, Anne is able to form her own opinions of Mr. Elliot. Does this not suggest to us that persuasion provokes moral decisions rather than merely dictates them?
The novel of ‘Persuasion’ is very tightly structured. Through reading ‘Persuasion’, we are addressed by a narrative voice which does not belong to any character. Through Jane Austen’s vocabulary attached to certain characters, for example Walter Elliot; “Sir Walter Elliot was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion”, we are persuaded by the narrative voice of Jane Austen to support the character where there is the most moral consensus; Anne.
The key question that confronts us in the novel is whether Anne Elliot acted correctly when she succumbed to Lady Russell’s persuasion, terminating her engagement to Wentworth. We learn that Sir Walter thought the engagement of Anne and Wentworth; “a very degrading alliance.” We are aware that much of Sir Walter’s judgement is not very useful, and so by Lady Russell holding the same outlook on situations, Austen almost condemns Lady Russell’s opinions; “With all claims of birth, beauty and mind to throw herself away at nineteen…with a young man who had no hopes of attaining affluence…would be, indeed, a throwing away.” In this passage, Austen employs free indirect style, in a way that anticipates techniques for rendering psychological states. “Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and bewitching the wit which often expressed it, must have been enough for Anne.” By being persuaded by someone she respects, Lady Russell was successful in persuading Anne that the marriage would be unwise. Anne’s constancy in the novel, which assumes the air of authenticity, shows Lady Russell’s moral inferiority as Anne “lost her bloom” due to the persuasion of Lady Russell. Idealised love is, in fact, performed away from the public in ‘Persuasion’ as we see that public interferences are able to turn relationships sour; “a short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one. Troubles soon arose, Sir Walter on being applied to…” From Anne and Wentworth’s lasting affection, we can see that most persuasion in the novel revolves around the concept of love.
At the time of writing ‘Persuasion’, there had been a change in popular taste from Augustan values to Romanticism with its focus upon intense feelings. By carefully weaving between Romantic and Augustan values, Austen leaves it up to the reader to consider the case of romance between Anne and Wentworth, determining whether we find ourselves for or against persuasion.
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