Persuade

Author: (British) Jane Austen, translated by Sun Zhili, Tang Huixin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-12-01
Features: Persuasion depicts a (full of twists and turns) love story. The noblewoman Anne Elliot falls deeply in love with the young officer Frederick Wentworth and becomes engaged to him. However, her father, Sir Walter Elliot, and her aunt, Lady Russell, disapprove of the match due to Wentworth's humble origins and lack of wealth, strongly opposing the marriage. Out of "prudence," Anne accepts her aunt's advice and painfully breaks off the engagement with the man she loves. Eight years later, as a promoted and wealthy colonel on leave, Wentworth returns to his hometown and becomes a tenant in the house of Sir Walter Elliot, along with his sister and brother-in-law. Though he still harbors resentment toward Anne, the two eventually recall their past affection and, after overcoming many obstacles, finally unite in marriage. The significance of Persuasion is not limited to its moving depiction of love or its moral teachings about love and prudence. More importantly, it carries a deeper social meaning. This is first reflected in the novel's merciless exposure and critique of the decaying aristocratic class. Sir Walter Elliot is portrayed as a "foolish and extravagant baron," lacking both "standards and reason" and unable to maintain the "duty and dignity" granted by God. In the end, he loses the right to live on his estate and retreats to a small town, "boasting" about his status. The author tells us that "vanity constitutes his entire character," and behind this vanity lies his snobbery and selfishness. To elevate his "social standing," he shamefully courts the Duchess of Dalrymple and her daughter; to protect his family's "reputation," he desperately tries to prevent Anne from marrying the "humble" Colonel Wentworth and from associating with the "lowly" Mrs. Smith. However, ironically, while obstructing his daughter, Sir Walter's own household harbors a humble courtesan (Mrs. Clay), with whom he maintains a long-term affair, nearly turning her into a "Lady Walter Elliot." This is a brilliant satire of the nobleman, fully exposing his hypocrisy. If the portrayal of Sir Walter Elliot reflects the author's mockery of aristocratic class consciousness, then the depiction of Mr. Elliot reveals the author's critique of the hereditary aristocratic system. Since Sir Walter has no son, he appoints his nephew, William Elliot, as the presumptive heir and hopes he will marry his eldest daughter, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, Mr. Elliot is a "deceitful and heartless" faithless man, obsessed with wealth and "regarding family honor as dung," utterly disregarding the baron and his daughter, and instead marrying a "wealthy but humble" woman. Later, after indulging in greed and pleasure, he gradually recognizes the "value" of the baron and hurries to the baron's estate to mend his ways. When he discovers that Mrs. Clay is pursuing Sir Walter and may threaten his inheritance, he resorts to all means, even considering marrying Anne to use the opportunity to monitor Sir Walter closely and prevent him from marrying Mrs. Clay. After Anne becomes engaged to Wentworth, his ambitions are shattered, and he resorts to his final trick, seducing Mrs. Clay into becoming his mistress. Look, the future heir of Sir Walter Elliot is such a ruthless villain! Persuasion not only creates several detestable antagonists but also some likable protagonists. Anne Elliot is an extraordinary heroine—intelligent, beautiful, loyal, and prudent in love, which leads to her unfortunate eight-year ordeal. Later, when reflecting on this misfortune with Wentworth, she views the situation with a detached and reconciled perspective, free from blame. As one critic laments, "Of all the heroines in novels, few are as charming and pitiable as Anne Elliot." Additionally, the naval officers led by Colonel Wentworth are all bright, sincere, and passionate, forming a stark contrast to Sir Walter and the Elliot family. No wonder Anne can "feel proud to be a sailor's wife"!