Persuasion book cover

Persuasion is the last completed novel Jane Austen wrote, and was first published posthumously, in 1818. Jane Austen began her last book soon after she had finished Emma, and completed it in August, 1816. Persuasion is connected with Northanger Abbey not only by the fact that the two books were originally bound up in one volume and published together two years later, and are still so issued, but in the circumstance that in both stories the scene is laid partly in Bath, a health resort with which Jane Austen was well acquainted, as having been her place of residence from the year 1801 till 1805. The title refers to the persuasion to which the heroine, Anne Elliot, has given in, to her later regret. The title of the novel was not chosen by Austen and some critics believe she was to name it "The Elliots". Image File history File links Persuasion book cover This image is of a book cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the publisher of the book. ... Image File history File links Persuasion book cover This image is of a book cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by the publisher of the book. ... Jane Austen, in a portrait based on one drawn by her sister Cassandra Jane Austen (December 16, 1775 – July 18, 1817) was a prominent English novelist whose work is considered part of the Western canon. ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Emma is a comic novel by Jane Austen, generally regarded as the most perfectly constructed of all her works, concerning the perils of misconstrued romance. ... 1816 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Northanger Abbey book cover Northanger Abbey was the first of Jane Austens novels to be completed for publication, though she had previously made a start on Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. ... Bath is a city in South West England most famous for its baths fed by three hot springs. ... The Union Jack, flag of the newly formed United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ... 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Plot

Anne Elliot is now in her late twenties, and generally considered to be "on the shelf". In her earlier years, she had been persuaded to reject Captain Wentworth, the love of her life, because of his poverty and poor prospects—Anne's father is a baronet. Some years later Wentworth returns into her life. Their fortunes are now reversed, as Wentworth has done well in the navy whilst Anne's family are in financial difficulties. Anne believes Wentworth is no longer interested in her, but gradually their love reasserts itself.

The most famous scene is the incident at Lyme Regis, where Louisa, whom Anne considers a rival for Wentworth's affection, sustains a concussion in a fall brought about by her own impetuous behaviour. This highlights the difference between Louisa and the sensible Anne. Anne's natural leadership and intelligence surface in the crisis. While onlookers exclaim that Louisa is dead and other companions stand dumbfounded, Anne begins first aid and assigns her stunned friends to summon a doctor and other assistance. Louisa's recovery is slow and partial. Captain Wentworth's esteem for Anne rises. Location within the British Isles A photograph of the Cobb in Lyme Regis, with boats grounded behind the Cobb at low tide. ...

Persuasion is widely appreciated as a moving love story despite what has been labelled as a simple plot, and exemplifies Austen's acclaimed wit and ironic narrative style.

Jane Austen had difficulty in deciding on the ending, which was changed from the original version.

Principal Characters

Sir Walter Elliott, Bt. -- A baronet and a widower, Sir Walter's profligacy since the death of his wife 13 years prior has put his family in difficult financial circumstances. At the beginning of the story, he is required to lease his estate, Kellynch Hall to Admiral Crofts and take up a more modest circumstance in Bath. A baronet (traditional abbreviation Bart, modern abbreviation Bt), is the holder of an hereditary title awarded by the British Crown, known as a baronetcy. ...

Mary Musgrove -- the youngest daughter of Sir Walter, married to Charles Musgrove. She is constantly engaged in personality struggles with her in-laws, the Musgroves.

Anne Elliott -- the second daughter of Sir Walter, is unmarried and viewed by her family as being too old to hope for marriage. Some years ago, she fell in love with Captain Wentworth, but was persuaded (the persuasion of the title) by Lady Russell to reject Wentworth's proposal, because of his dim prospects.

Elizabeth Elliott -- the eldest daughter of Sir Walter, who encourages her father's imprudent spending in order to live an extravagant life. She, along with her father, routinely serve Anne with casual insults, regarding her as inconsequential and unattractive.

Lady Russell -- a friend to the Elliotts. She, with Anne's help, sizes up the family's financial position and persuades them to let their estate and take up a less expensive residence in Bath. Years ago, she persuaded Anne to turn down Captain Wentworth's proposal of marriage.

Mrs. Clay -- a friend to the Elliotts. She is a widow.

Captain Frederick Wentworth - A naval officer who many years ago proposed marriage to Anne Elliott.He was then without a fortune or prospects, but owing to the Napoleonic Wars, his estate has improved. One of two brothers of Sophia Croft. The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ...

Admiral Croft -- Tenant at Kellynch Hall.

Sophia Croft -- Sister of Captain Wentworth and wife of Admiral Croft. She offers Anne an example of a woman who wed for love instead of money and one of the few, if not the sole, women shown to have a satisfactory marital relationship.

Louisa Musgrove -- Second sister of Charles Musgrove, a reckless young woman who seems to capture the attentions of Captain Wentworth.

Henrietta Musgrove -- Sister to Charles Musgrove and elder sister to Louisa.

Capt. James Benwick -- A friend of Captain Wentworth's friend Captain Harville. Benwick had been engaged to marry Captain Harville's sister, but she died while Benwick was at sea with the navy. Benwick's loss has made him melancholy and a lover of poetry. His love of reading makes him one of the few characters in the story to find an intellectual connection with Anne Elliott.

Mr. Elliot -- a relation of Sir Walter who was estranged from the family when he married a woman they disapproved of. He is now a widower.

Mrs. Smith - a friend of Anne Elliott who lives in Bath. She is a widow and has suffered ill health and financial difficulties. She keeps abreast of the doings of Bath society through news she gets from her nurse, Nurse Rooke.

Lady Dalrymple -- a viscountess and wealthy relation to Sir Walter. A viscount is a member of the European nobility, especially of France, and of the British peerage, where a viscount ranks above a baron, below an earl (a count in France), and corresponds in Britain to the Anglo-Saxon shire reeve. ...

Film and television adaptations

Persuasion has been the subject of several adaptations [1]:

• 1995: Persuasion, movie starring Amanda Root as Anne and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Wentworth.

• 1971: Persuasion, BBC miniseries starring Anne Firbank as Anne and Bryan Marshall as Captain Wentworth.

• 1960: Persuasion, BBC miniseries starring Daphne Slater as Anne and Paul Daneman as Captain Wentworth.

1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jane Austens novel Persuasion (1818) was produced as a film in 1995, and was directed by Roger Michell. ... Amanda Root did the voice of Sophie in Roald Dahls The BFG. Categories: People stubs ... Ciarán Hinds (born February 9, 1953) is a well-respected Belfast-born actor whose work spans theatre, radio, television, and film. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

External link

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Persuasion

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