Anne Elliot, our heroine, is the second daughter of Sir Walter Elliot, a pompous, vain and shallow Baron. The book starts with Sir Walter and his favourite daughter, Elizabeth, pondering means of reducing expenses without altering their lavish lifestyle. Elizabeth suggests cutting back on charitable donations. The family’s neighbour and close friend, and Anne’s dearest confidante – Lady Russell – tries helping them budget the household expenses. Sir Walter refuses to compromise and give up the finer things in life that a Baron is accustomed to. Despite Anne’s wishes of relocating into a smaller house in the country, Mr Shepherd – the family lawyer – convinces Sir Walter to move to a smaller house in Bath that still has an air of opulence, albeit on a smaller scale so it won’t hurt their pocket. Mr Shepherd also coaxes Sir Walter into renting out their Kellynch property to Admiral Croft and his wife. Despite the Baron’s dislike of naval officers due to their weather-beaten appearance and the fact they gain recognition and fortune on their merit as sailors, rather than being born to money and a noble family lineage, he decides to let the Crofts rent it, because when questioned by others, saying “I have let my house to Admiral Croft would sound extremely well; very much better than to any Mr –”
Anne’s world is sent into turmoil by this news – Mrs Croft is the sister of Captain Fredrick Wentworth, a naval officer whom Anne had fallen in love with and was courted by 8 years ago. He had wanted to marry her and she had accepted, but because he was poor and from a lower class family, Sir Walter had been against it. His disapproval wasn’t what deterred Anne; it was Lady Russell’s objection to the match. Young Anne had lost her mother and lived in a household where she was treated like a second class citizen whose likes, dislikes and happiness were of no consequence and Lady Russell was the only person who showed genuine parental affection towards Anne. So when Lady Russell advised her to not accept Captain Wentworth’s proposal, Anne grudgingly yet dutifully listened. Now twenty-seven, Anne has matured and lived enough to deeply regret her decision. She is still in love with Captain Wentworth and has refused at least one offer of marriage.
Ever the dutiful daughter and sister, when her father and Elizabeth go to set up residence in Bath, she goes to her younger sister Mary’s house in Uppercross (not too far from Kellynch) to look after her. Mary has hypochondriac tendencies, and Anne with her soothing and sensible ways is always able to bring Mary back to health and good spirits. It seems fortune favours Anne with this turn of events as it allows her to reacquaint herself with Captain Wentworth. Everything that follows is a culmination of 8 years of heartache, hurt, sorrow and unfulfilled love, intertwined with 19th Century English country life and high society drama.
Austen, at least in this book, portrays the world in either black or white with not much room for grey, so someone is either good or bad. The many characters she brings to life in Persuasion allow her to balance these out, bringing forth human weaknesses: pretension, snobbery, callousness and offsetting them with human strengths: forgiveness, decency and kindness to create a tale that is funny, heart-warming and in many ways still relevant today.
I found myself exasperated by Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mary. But I have to admit – their conceited views and outlandish behaviour made me laugh out loud. It seems the only sensible Elliot is Anne and at first I was afraid she was going to be portrayed as a victimised martyr but as the book progresses, you get to see her calm and collected character grow. She keeps her cool and takes in stride what life throws her way. I found it a little difficult at times to keep up with the numerous characters but it wasn't overwhelming. I've had this book for a few years now and I've half-heartedly tried reading it twice before. The first page was the biggest hurdle, especially as it starts with the Baron boasting about himself and glowing in self admiration. This time, I resisted the urge to snap the book shut and put it back on the shelf and was rewarded with a story that entertained and excited me into finishing the novel quickly and then watching both the 1995 and 2007 TV films. I preferred the earlier version as it stayed true to the tone of the book whereas the 2007 remake tried making it a more dark and grim account when it wasn't!
I hope you've been persuaded into giving Austen’s last completed work a chance to grow on you too.
If you've already read it, feel free to share your thoughts.
