The Elliot household bar Anne, seems to have an earnest need for making others think of them highly, ‘Dismissing Anne’s dislike for the city’. The primary conflict is the difficulty of saving money while keeping up the appearance of a rich and titled landowner. The problem Sir Walter faces is not unique; it emerges in part because of the class system of early nineteenth- century England. Such a system, in which families are strictly categorized by their wealth, rank, and birth, necessitates living a lifestyle consistent with one's class. Sir Walter is horrified that people might think less of him for spending less money and is shocked at the prospect of giving up comforts that he considers necessities. Modesty at the kellynch set seems like something out of the twilight zone.
Even at the though of ‘retrenching’ kellynch hall sir Walter demands someone of a high social class and good appearance, so that to others the sound of retrenching to an admiral will be impressive. Sir Walter is concerned that Admiral Croft's appearance must be "orange" and weather-beaten from all his time at sea. But Mr. Shepard assures him that the Admiral is a "well-looking man”. “I have let my house to Admiral Croft" has a good sound to it, since the consequence and rank of the tenant is quite clear. Finally convinced by the "extreme happiness" the Crofts would have at being chosen to be the tenants of Kellynch; Sir Walter agrees to let them rent his estate. Austen contrasts the traits of various characters in these chapters. In the conversation with the Crofts, the differences between Admiral Croft and Sir Walter Elliot become evident. Admiral Croft thinks it silly to have so many mirrors constantly around him in the dressing room. He is a man of relatively simple tastes, and his comments allow the reader to see the silliness and vanity of Sir Walter.
In contrast to the emptiness and masquerades of kellynch we have Uppercross - the great house. The scenes at Uppercross are described as homely and comfortable. ’Friendly and hospitable’ At Uppercross, Anne notices the very different topics that occupy the Musgrove’s' attention. Little concerned with discussing appearances and social standing, the Musgrove family occupies itself with hunting, newspapers, house-keeping, dress, dancing, and music. She finds their presence a welcome change from the company of her father and Elizabeth. This emphasise the point regarding how at kellynch material aspects of life substitute for the real emotional importance of family and friends – as Uppercross are happy as a family they need not discuss irrelevant things. Anne enjoys the Musgrove’s' company, but does not wish to emulate them; her taste seeks more education and more elegance. Though Anne finds both of these qualities in her own family, she dislikes their close-minded elitism. Uppercross through out the novel suffer a tragedy – Louisa during her visit to lyme injures herself, regardless of this once she is ‘strong enough to hold her head up’ the strong contrast between the Musgrove house that they now see and the one of a few weeks ago. This household is filled with children, food, light, and activity, whereas only a few weeks ago the home was depressed by the thought of the family's sick daughter. Louisa is now recovering quickly and they expect her to be home soon. Emphasising the content atmosphere
At Uppercross many of the attitudes of the characters develop but in particular the character of Anne is most evident. She from an unacknowledged charter has become everyone’s confidant and mediator ‘she was only Anne’, ‘Miss Anne you shall be able to set things right’. Uppercross values Anne more highly and kellynch, the family’s good description is challenged with the description of kellynch’s good furnishings. The description of Uppercross ‘high walls’ almost enclosing the family together in a unit were as kellynch’s gardens and empty hall ways signify emptiness. The activities endured by Anne, on her trip to Uppercross is a far cry from the dull halls of kellynch. ‘Lovely dinners’, ‘music and dancing’.
Pathetic fallacy – another tool utilised to emphasise the effect of scenery on the characters. Through out Anne’s time at Uppercross the weather seems to be autumnal, reflecting on Anne’s feelings for captain Wentworth ‘sweet scenes of autumn’. The object of the nut used further on in the novel as a metaphor for captain Wentworth’s feelings towards Anne ‘a glossy nut, blessed with original strength, beautiful, no weak spot anywhere’. At Uppercross there are many walks taken by the young group the party consists of the two Miss Musgrove’s, Captain Wentworth, Mary, Anne, and . Anne's intention is to stay as out of the way as possible and just to enjoy the landscape and the day. Many hills and moors are mentioned these could represent the ups and downs of the emotions between Anne and Captain Wentworth.
Walking may be a motif that is employed throughout Persuasion, when characters go for walks in the novel, it may often signal a period of character development. The first walk indicated Wentworth’s likening for strong willed women, and Anne’s expectance of Henrietta’s liking of captain Wentworth. Walking entails conversing with others, commenting on one's surroundings, and reacting to the world outside. It allows the author to expand upon the reader’s understanding of a character by bringing the character out into a different light. In Persuasion, walks are essential for the progression of and 's relationship. Anne learns of his feelings regarding female constancy on one of their initial walks. Walking is a frequent and essential motif.
The rain on Anne departure of Uppercross signifies the feelings of characters of Uppercross, saddened to watch Anne go yet it could mean a sense of peace between captain Wentworth and her self, the spillage of rain may be the spillage of their feeling and how they have emerged into one and have faded.
Another setting in which emotions of the characters are portrayed through is the setting of lyme – a coastal town.
It is described as a small but beautiful place ‘romantic rocks and chasms’, ‘public amusements were closed at this time of year’. At lyme we come across a few new characters - captain Benwick and Harville, Captain Benwick whom is mourning the death of his beloved fiancée.
The setting seems to be ideal for some one in a constant state of lament, and Harville who is lame. Tranquil and desolate, the desolation gives him a chance to fall back on his solace – poetry. This is the similarity between Anne and Benwick. The usage of the images of ‘south easterly winds’ and ‘sea breezes’ may reflect on the feelings of characters within the novel, how in some places it is intense and in other places they linger, almost to say the feelings of the characters in some places are intense, Anne’s ‘flushed cheeks’ caused by apprehension, then expectance of Wentworth and Henrietta’s possible relationship.
Lyme’s description leaves us with the feeling of linger and how everyone is holding on to something, but only just. Captain Benwicks state of mind’, he will rally again be happy with another’ the party all goes out for another walk and is joined by Captain Benwick and the Harvilles. Captain Benwick seeks Anne's company again, and Captain Harville mentions that Anne has done quite a good deed in getting Benwick talking again and bringing him out of his shell. They continue on their walk and come to a set of stairs’ the stairs may emphasis captain Benwick progress in life, this also reflects on the previous comment made about how walks represent character development.
The sea emphasise the vastness and emptiness of the inhabitants of lyme. We also come across a certain character that takes an interest in Anne - William Elliot, heir presumptive of the Elliot family. The changing of the winds from ‘sea breeze’ to ‘wind’ the weather changing reflects on characters changing and the novel getting stronger. ‘Steps’, ‘bridges’ and ‘stairs’ are mentioned frequently they arte all objects that lead up to or build something up. The characters may be stepping in their emotional lives and moving on, building bridges.
Finally we come to the setting of bath. A place of high social class highly sought after by sir Walter and Elizabeth but strongly apposed by Anne, she does not look forward to joining her father and sister in Bath; she dislikes the large, disagreeable buildings and the feel of the city. Because Anne feels more at home in an environment like Uppercross she finds busy bustle unappealing. Now in Bath, finds her father and sister happily situated at a house in Camden Place. Although she is very depressed to be there, she finds the welcome from her family unusually warm. They are excited to show her all the new furniture and rooms of the house, but they have no inclination to listen to Anne's stories. Although the settings are new the feelings towards Anne haven’t changed. and are quite pleased with the pleasures and accommodations that Bath affords them. Because they have been given what they desire they have changed, ever so slightly towards Anne.
At bath we see the true depths of Sir Walters’s superficiality. He is made known that an old cousin Lady Dalrymple, wealthy and of higher social class, are in bath. Sir Walter is desperate to be reacquainted with them. Lady Dalrymple is considered nobility, and Sir Walter is extremely excited about the prospect of renewing his acquaintance with her and moving with the Dalrymples among the very finest social circles in Bath. Anne is disappointed that her father and sister have so little pride as to be in awe of their cousins. Sir Walter writes the Dalrymples a letter of apology for their estrangement and receives a forgiving note in return. Anne is ashamed that her family talks of their high relations to everybody; she sees little of merit in her awkward, unaccomplished, and uninteresting relatives.
Bath is described as having the ’heavy rumble of carts and drays bawling of news-men, muffin men and milkmen’ lady Elliot a close fiend of Anne’s and the Elliot family prefers the noises of the street of bath to the noise of children at Uppercross ’she made no complaint on entering bath’ but on entering Uppercross’ she ‘won’t call again at Christmas’ when the bustle of children is t its most. This again may emphasise the characters of kellynch and Uppercross although a good friend of Anne how the Uppercross set really has no real touch with family value. How the busy social sound are preferred over the sound of children laughing. Again emphasising ho kellynch is obsessed with the notion of impressing society.
Austen introduces the issue of place, meaning one's position both geographically and in society. The two are highly connected. Mr. Elliot points out that Sir Walter's family may be relatively insignificant in London due to their 'present, quiet style of living,' but in Bath they are able to move within prominent social circles. Anne takes offence to the idea that one's social worth is dependent on one's location. She has a more nuanced and complex vision of social standing, in which value is placed not only on birth and wealth, but on one's accomplishments, manners, and interests.
In Somersetshire, the Elliot family is considered the very best; here in Bath, they could be understood to be socially beneath their cousins, the Dalrymples. Anne has pride, and she is offended at the thought that such unaccomplished and uninteresting people could be ranked above her.
Anne is unaccustomed to being thought beneath anyone, and in some ways, she has more pride than her father and sister. She cannot bear the thought that such a respected, landed family such as hers must live in rented rooms in a city, while their home is inhabited by others. Anne is further dismayed at the small degree to which her father and sister seem to be upset by this. Austen is expressing that a certain amount of pride can be a good thing, if it is based upon true merit and not false appearances.
