As well as the novel’s theme of social class, another strong link to the idea of social hierarchy is Sir Walter Elliot’s obsession with the “Baronetage.” By studying and being intensely interested in his family blood lines, Sir Walter shows the extent of how important he perceives himself to be; “his faculties were roused into admiration and respect.” Although Sir Walter belongs to an “ancient and respectable family”, he has never been able to produce a son, only three daughters; Elizabeth, Anne and Mary. The idea that Sir Walter cannot produce a son shows, to an extent, that Sir Walter’s family is falling in social rank, as his daughters can be seen as a metaphor to suggest Sir Walter’s own impotence in society with the further decline of the Elliot household.
Another important theme in Persuasion is introduced to us in the opening chapter in the guise of vanity and appearances. “He could read his own history with an interest which never failed – this was the page at which the favourite volume always opened: ‘Elliot of Kellynch Hall. Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760.” Sir Walter’s obsession with his own history shows us that vanity is Walter Elliot’s driving force in life. It also goes to show Sir Walter’s carelessness of major affairs, as the only script he cares to read is his own “Baronetage”. When describing Walter Elliot, Austen uses flattering language, such as “fine”, “beauty” and “good looks”. There is a tone of acute amusement and gentle contempt in Austen’s writing with “Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion”. This tone almost suggests to us that Austen does not perceive beauty to be of the utmost importance in life. By saying of Sir Walter that “he could read his own history with an interest which never failed” demonstrates to us that Sir Walter lifts himself above others in society and above money. By doing this it leads us to question whether Sir Walter Elliot is as wealthy as he would first appear to be.
The description of appearance in a woman is presented to us by Austen when describing Anne Elliot; “Anne Elliot had been a pretty girl, but her bloom had vanished early.” This comment reveals that looks are the most important things when forming an opinion of a woman. This leads us to view the superficiality of the English social classes in the Victorian era, and to whether Austen has written a little of herself into the heroine of Anne Elliot. Throughout her life, Austen never married and was probably perceived to have “lost her bloom” just as Anne Elliot does in the novel. However, when describing Lady Elliot, her looks are not mentioned, only that she was “not the very happiest being in the world.”
In the first chapter of Persuasion, marriage is a theme which often arises. To begin, we see that Mary and Charles Musgrove are wed, and following that, the chapter mentions the marriage between Sir Walter and Lady Elliot. Although the theme of marriage is a dominant one, it appears that marriages of suitability are more widely regarded; “Mary had merely connected herself with an old country family of respectability and large fortune, and had therefore given all the honour and received none; Elizabeth would, one day or other, marry suitably.” With this judgement, we can see that marriages where status is gained and fortune gathered, are considered to be the marriages deemed to be suitable. The reason for so many unsuitable marriages in Austen’s novel, however, is due to the fact that courtship happens preceding marriage.
The opening chapter of Persuasion also makes us consider whether we are dealing with the end of an aristocratic author. Sir Walter Elliot represents the sector of society, in chapter one, who cannot afford the upkeep of the aristocratic home; “Sir Walter Elliot was growing dreadfully in debt.” The commencement of the novel seems to celebrate the importance of the self-made man in the form of Admiral Croft when he becomes the patron of Kellynch Hall. In the opening sequence of the novel, we are presented with the theory of the ‘fin de siecle’, where those who are born into wealth can no longer perpetuate it, which signifies the demise of the aristocratic order. It would appear that Austen almost seems to degrade the families born into money in Persuasion and begins to celebrate the importance of the common man.
In conclusion, the opening chapter of Persuasion is a suitable opening to the novel as it introduces the majority of the central characters together with a little of their history. The chapter also hints at many of the major themes in the novel; social class, blood lines and marriage. The most interesting theme to be introduced in the opening chapter however, is that of appearance and vanity. The introduction of this theme not only provides the reader with an informed view of Sir Walter’s perception of vanity, but we are able to detect senses of Austen’s opinions concerning appearance. With this input to the novel we can recognise aspects of Austen’s character reflected in Anne Elliot. This is particularly insightful as Austen learnt of her impending death whilst penning the novel which could have had an impact on certain character’s views of issues in Persuasion.
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