The Themes Of Duality In Persuasion By Jane Austen

Nearly all of Jane Austen’s novels closely monitor society and satirical critique the limitations placed on members of inferior rank. However, Austen’s commentary on social hierarchy is especially manifested in her last novel before her untimely death, Persuasion. The novel tells the story of Anne Elliot, a twenty-seven-year-old woman who suffers from the loss of her mother and the separation from her one true love, Captain Wentworth. Still, Persuasion accomplishes much more than a love story. Austen characterizes a tender and sad woman who learns from her past and corrects her mistakes. In Austen’s novels, women do not have much of a say in matters that affect their lives, such as marriage. Yet, at the end of Persuasion, Anne Elliot chooses

He is described as being very proud of his own achievements as a gentleman and physical appearance. He never took up a book unless it was the Baronetage, which was a book that kept a record of the most esteemed families in England, his family name included. In the first few lines of the novel, Sir Walter is characterized as vain and unlikable. “Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation” (Austen 4). On the other hand, his late wife, Lady Elliot, is described and sensible and amiable. “She had humored, or softened, or concealed his failings, and promoted his real respectability for seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in the world herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her children to attach her to life and to make it no matter of indifference to her when she was called on to quit them” (Austen 4). Within the first chapter, it is evident that Lady Elliot supported her husband despite his faults. Here, we see a woman who had more respectability than her significant other and in their marriage, she helped “conceal” his vices. Lady Elliot made the best out of this bad situation because she had no other alternative. In spite of his faults as a human being, her duty as a woman and wife was to stand by her husband and support him in his foolishness. When Lady Elliot passed, she left

Amid the departure from Kellynch Hall, the Elliots must sell the estate to an esteemed individual. Mr. Shepard, Sir Walter’s lawyer suggests that they sell Kellynch to a naval officer. Sir Walter’s scoffs at the thought of a man of inferior birth residing in his prized Kellynch. “A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him; rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many before” (Austen 13). To Sir Walter Elliot’s dismay, Admiral Croft purchases Kellynch Hall. Persuasion touches on the societal changes that occurred during the war. It was unheard of to have a naval officer purchase an estate of an esteemed gentleman, but naval officers began to elevate themselves in society through hard work and dedication. Sir Walter represents the old aristocratic England refusing to giveaway to a new wave of classes. Anne, however, represents acceptance and breaking down strict societal roles. In this particular conversation, Anne speaks her mind most eloquently stating, “The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the privileges which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts; we must all allow” (Austen 15). In this quote Anne not only comments on the navy’s strong work