Persuasion

Like others in the class, I was interested in the way the idea of “persuasion” itself is portrayed in the novel. It is unclear whether Austen thinks it is a good thing or a bad thing. It seems as if the characters are attempting to strike that balance in the middle of being too easily persuaded and being too stubborn for one’s own good. For example, the character of Anne allows herself to be persuaded by Mrs. Russell regarding her relationship with Captain Wentworth, so much so that she had broken off the engagement. It is clear that for the readers, this is supposed to be seen as a negative thing, that she was so easily convinced out of her relationship. In the case of Sir Walter, however, it takes much effort for Mrs. Russell and Anne to persuade him to move from their family home to Bath, even though this is clearly the right thing to do because they are in so much debt. In this case, by siding with Anne in this situation, the reader is led to see the other extreme of supreme stubbornness, which shows the positive side of allowing one’s self to be persuaded. I think Austen leaves the final decision up to the reader by being so ambivalent about her opinion.