Faded Flowers? (7)
In the first few pages of Persuasion we are introduced to Sir Walter Elliot and his descendants via an entry in the Baronetage. Austen goes on to give her readers the briefest of snapshots of specific individuals. Sir Walter, for whom "vanity was the beginning and the end of...character" (10); his deceased wife, "an excellent woman, sensible and amiable" (10); Lady Russell, "of steady age and character" (11); Elizabeth, "very like [her father]" (11); Mary, who had "acquired a little artificial importance" through marriage...and who quite frankly drives me crazy (11); and finally, Anne--Anne who is "nobody" in the eyes of her father or sisters...Anne, who is "only Anne" to her immediate family...Anne, whose "bloom had vanished early"...Anne who is, well, just Anne.
And yet we suspect that this is not entirely true. We suspect that Anne is somehow much more than what we are first shown. (After all, this is her story, and you can't have a story about "nobody.")
As you read, be on the lookout for moments that hint at Anne's true identity and character, whether that be through her actions, her words, or her thoughts and observations, which often (but not always) reflect those of the narrator.
Who is Anne Elliot, really? Are your initial impressions confirmed throughout Book I, or do they change? If so, why? As always, be sure to include page number references.
At the very beginning of the book, the reader is made to feel as though we are missing something in the description of Anne, or even everything. Although the first impression of Anne is one of unimportance and insignificance, we are quickly offered examples in which she shows her attributes. It is not that she is insignificant to the reader, but rather only to her family. She actually provides the reader with the direct commentary of the author throughout this portion of the book.
ReplyDeleteThe first time we see this is in her opinion of the navy. She says that they must “have at least an equal claim with any other set of men” (21). This is acknowledged by Mr. Shepherd and Sir Walter, who then continue on to come to the conclusion that a navy man would not be worthy of living on their property after they had left.
This is the general theme of the book; that is the struggle between people of importance, and people of character and kindness. The author utilizes the opinions of Anne time and time again to show how people have turned their backs to these greater virtues in favor of wealth and status.
We see it again as we are told the story of Anne’s romance with Captain Wentworth. She saw who he was as a person and fell in love, but was pushed away from him by wishes of Sir Walter to have his daughter be associated with people of more class. It was considered a travesty for her to “involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him” (27).
It is in these situations that we see Anne’s extreme importance to the story. She is the model for how the author thinks people should be, and her standing within her family is a take on the way the author feels the world was becoming at the time.
In the beginning of the book, all we know of Anne is just that; she is Anne. She seems to be nobody and no one cares much for her. However as the book goes on it is revealed that even if her immediate family thinks very little of her, others think very highly of Anne.
ReplyDeleteOnce Sir Walter and Elizabeth leave for Bath, Anne is sent to take care of her sick sister in Uppercross for a while. Anne then tells us through narration that every time she is there everyone asks her to persuade another person of something. For example, “I wish you would persuade Mary to not always be fancying herself ill.”(40). This is only one of the examples of this. If Anne was a “nobody” then why does the Musgroves think she is capable of persuading anyone of anything.
Also when Little Charles breaks his collarbone, Anne is the best one to take care of him. She is seen as a very caring person and it is something she would like to do. The same thing happens when Louisa falls while walking on the Cobb. When it happens everyone was looking for Anne to tell them what to do. Even Captain Wentworth and Charles look to her for direction saying, “Anne, Anne. What is to be done next?”(93). And when it comes time to choose who will stay in Lyme with Louisa, everyone agreed that Anne must stay. Anne is clearly not a nobody if she is needed to take care of important individuals in others’ lives.
Finally, we see who Anne is through her observations as well as what other think. She often thinks about who Capitan Wentworth liked more between the Musgrove sisters. She does this by referring to their relationship in the past and uses how she was like and what he liked about her, “as far as she might dare to judge from memory and experience,” (69), to determine which girl was in the lead for his affection.
Through all these things we learn more and more about Anne. I feel as though there is still a lot more to Anne to learn during the rest of the book.
Kaitlyn Smith
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the book, we meet Sir Walter Elliot’s family, which includes his middle daughter Anne. He “found little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate features and mild dark eyes from his own),” (11). Her sisters also shared this view and thought her to be inferior to them.
While this is the general consensus of her family, others view Anne as having “an elegance of mind and sweetness of character,” (11). This can be seen through Lady Russell’s perspective since she chooses Anne to help with the retrenching of her father’s expenses. “She consulted [Anne], and in a degree was influenced by her, in marking out the scheme of retrenchment,” (16). This shows that Lady Russell values Anne’s opinion and believes in her abilities to help her father find a plan to get out of debt.
Farther into the book, Anne speaks her mind to her father and Mr. Shepherd by 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,” (21). Before this, Sir Walter had been opposed to letting a naval officer live in his home; however, both Mr. Shepherd and her father agreed that her opinion was true and eventually they choose a formal sailor. This shows that she is an insightful person who is willing to give opportunities to all classes.
We later see that Anne is also the voice of persuasion in most situations she is placed in. The narrator states, Anne is “known to have some influence with her sister, she was continually requested, beyond what was practicable,” (40). For instance, while she is visiting her ill sister Mary, both Mary and her husband Charles want Anne to influence the other. “I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill,” was Charles complaint while Mary responded by saying, “you might persuade him that I really am very ill—a great deal worse than I ever own,” (40). This portrays Anne as being level-headed and wiser than her sister.
While the Elliot family sees Anne as insignificant, the book continually displays more characteristics that make her unique and the most interesting person within the story.
I believe that Anne seems to be a character of Austen. It is allowing her to express whatever it is she wants about the times she lives in through this work of fiction.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the first chapters we see people comment on Anne. On page 11 we see her caleld "with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding". This goes to show that throughout the rest of the book, everyone should be holding her at a high regard. However, this is completely the opposite of what we see.
However, we do see Lady Russell seeking advice of Anne about her families economy. (16) "and she did what nobody else thought of doing, she consulted Anne". It does not say why no one else consulted Anne, maybe its because they do see her as nobody, and as a nobody she does not have anything of worth to input.
We do see however, everyone (Mary, Charles, Mrs. Musgrove) coming to Anne for advice, or atleast, simply as someone to listen to themselves. (40-41) Mrs. Musgrove is trying to get Anne to talk to Mary about the kids misbehaving and she says "I tell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things to rights". So even though they see her as "nobody", she still has a usefulness to some of them.
So far in the book, even though Anne is the main character, we do not see alot about her. We see alittle of her past, and then alittle of her feelings now, about moving and about Frederick. Beyond that, I feel we see more about the other characters of the book then about her. She so far seems to me as a "secondary" character, however I know that this will change.
At the beginning of the book, Anne is like any other character in any other book; we know nothing about her. It doesn’t take long, however, for us to get acquainted with her. Although this doesn’t happen directly from Anne for a while, we “get to know her” through the other characters in the story. We know that Anne is the daughter of Sir Walter Elliot and the late Lady Elizabeth Elliot and sister of Elizabeth and Mary. It is these characters that give us the first glimpse of Anne through their points of view.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first few chapters of the book, I find Anne to be quite interesting even though the description I am getting of her is actually very negative. One of the first descriptions we have of Anne is that she “had been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had vanished early” (11). This is a unique statement to have so early in the book because it really gives the reader the impression that Anne isn’t as pretty as her sisters may be or maybe Anne can’t live up to the standards of her father. After all, “vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character” (10). These two statements give a great foreshadow as to what to expect from the Elliot family.
As I continued to read, I noticed that there was a lot of emphasis on what Anne should be. On page 29, it is stated that Anne could have been very eloquent and on page 32, Mary says that Anne should not go to Bath with the family because she will not be wanted there. These statements link very well to the idea of Anne not being beautiful as stated in the above paragraph.
While I always found Anne to be quite entertaining from the beginning, reading her get picked on was kind of saddening. I definitely thought that she was a “door-mat” and really wanted to see her stand up for herself. As I am continuing to read, I am finding that Anne has a lot of layers and that those layers are getting pulled back little by little with the turn of every page. On page 56, it says that “Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly”. I found this passage to be very insightful because it shows the reader that although she doesn’t express herself outwardly all the time, she does have feelings and emotions towards the people around her; even the ones that are not so nice to her.
I can’t wait to read on to see how Anne’s character develops and if the developments will change my opinions about her even more.
I couldn’t believe the first description of Anne, “Anne had been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had found little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate features and mild dark eyes from his own); there could be noting in them now that she was faded and thin, to excite his esteem.” (11) I was appalled at how her father described her, it was really sad. But her father is obviously shallow and is harsh on everyone’s looks, just not Anne’s. I picture Anne being a fair skinned lady with pretty unique features. I definitely can’t picture Anne as her father does. As the story goes on, I believe less and less that she is a nobody. No one really considered Anne, “…Anne, who never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the question.” (16) But there is one person who does, Lady Russell. Lady Russell takes into consideration Anne’s thoughts and what is best for Anne. “Anne had been too little from home, too little seen. Her spirits were not high. A larger society would improve them. She wanted her to be more known.” (18) Lady Russell makes me think that Anne deserves more than what she gets. Just throughout the first six chapters, Anne changes as a character a lot.
ReplyDelete(for MARYBETH PICKENS):
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the book we were introduced to some of the characters. The majority of them seemed superficial and vein, except for Anne. Her father Sir Walter Elliot was described, “vanity was the beginning and the end of...character" (10). Her sister Elizabeth was “very like her father” (11), and her other sister Mary was extremely immature and had the same type of personality as her father and sister, Elizabeth. Anne however, was different.
My first impression of her has not changed since the beginning of Book 1 to the end because she still exhibits the same behaviors as she did initially. Anne is a kind, sweet girl who is extremely unappreciated by her family. Although she does everything for everyone she goes unnoticed. “…Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding, was nobody to either her father or sister: her word had no weight; her convenience was always to give way; -she was only Anne” (11). One of the big questions that still remains is if Anne is a doormat or just very polite and kind? As a nineteen year old, she was involved with Captain Wentworth and eventually became engaged to him. However, Lady Russel did not approve of their engagement and shared her feelings with Anne. Even as “young and gentle” (28) as she was, she was still deeply in love. But in the end she was persuaded by Lady Russel to call off the engagement. “She was persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing- indiscreet, improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it” (28). It frustrated me to know that Anne seemed so easily persuaded which led me to think that she may just be a doormat. Hopefully my opinion is changed later in the book because I really like Anne and I want her to develop a voice.
By reading the back cover, we as readers already know that Anne is the main character in Persuasion. However, this does not seem the case when the book begins because it is made known that Anne “was neither nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight” (11). Her family dismisses her as nobody and she seems to have withdrawn into her own mind for solace. Anne does however have an opinion, though it tends to be dismissed against her father since he doesn’t see anything of worth in her; but her father is not the only character in this book. Facing Sir Elliot’s financial crisis, Anne’s friend, Lady Russell “consulted Anne, who never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the situation” (16). Upon doing so, her father agrees to arrangements asserted by Anne without realizing it.
ReplyDeleteThough a seemingly minor character in the beginning, the novel soon follows Anne’s travels and hardships in full. We learn about the persuasion used against her in her youth and how she has her own influence over certain characters, most significantly her sister Mary. When she visits her sister, those who are connected to her through her marriage know of Anne’s sway over her sister and Anne was “continually requested, or at least receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practical” (40). While not highly regarded for much else than her nursing skills and her influence over Mary, the others often confide in Anne for all matters.
I was never fooled that Anne was some nobody character, I knew from the beginning that her story was the one I should be focused on and there was much more to her than meets the eye. My opinion of her has remained the same, however, that she allows people to pass her over because she knows she is able to change the small things that can later amount to larger events.
At the beginning of the story we find that Anne is a misunderstood and ignored woman. Her father and her sister do not consider her much and just think of her as simply Anne. Since her mother's death, the only person that truely cares for her is Lady Russell, "she(Anne) was a most dear and highly valued god-daughter, favorite and friend" (pg. 11). Throughout the beginning I find Anne to be a silent and persuasive character of little opinion
ReplyDeleteHowever, I find that there is one point where we see Anne change a little and gain a little bit of gumption. The point where Mary becomes hysterical because she is told that she has to stay home with her son is where we really see Anne gain an opinion. Mary wants to go to the dinner party and doesnt want to stay home with her injured child. Anne steps in and says, "...Nursing does not belong to a man, it is not his province. A sick child is always the mother's property, her own feelings generally make it so" (pg. 50). Yet, as we begin to think she is changing a little bit she regresses and fills Mary's wants and decides to watch the child herself.
There are small moments of change that we have seen in her throughout the story thus far. As a reader I found it particarlly interesting that one of the characters within the story, Frederick Wentworth, noticed a change in Anne as well, "she(Anne) was so altered he should not have known her again" (pg. 53). These changes are suttle changes and as I continue reading become more evident.
In starting to read Persuasion, I couldn’t help but enjoy the many different twists and ironic wording given to the descriptions of the main characters. I either wanted to laugh, or I wanted to throttle them. However, what made me stop to think was the description, or lack thereof, of Anne.
ReplyDeleteOn page 11, we get the first real description of her, and it is of the mindset of the Father and older sister, and we can include the younger sister in this as well. “she was only Anne.” To me, the fact that nothing more was stated was in and of itself peculiar, and caused me to take more notice of it. In the preceding lines, we find out that she is actually a wonderful person, “with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character” (page 11). This description does her no justice at all.
On page 16, we see a new piece of evidence that helps us to see into the character of Anne, and that is that she is brilliant. She is asked by Lady Russell to help her in figuring out how to save her family from debt, and she devises a plan that would get them out of debt in 7 years. Based off of previous descriptions of the largeness of the debt, this is no mean feat. But this is not all to her character. On pages 92 and 93, she is looked to for guidance as she is the rock amid the storm when Louisa is injured and gives directions that are followed by all.
However, these are only some of the character traits that are portrayed by Anne throughout the book. On page 28 we see her reminiscing about love that was lost, and the heartache with potential interaction with the one she loved. On pages 36 and 37 she is polite to her sister, who is one that is almost impossible to not want to slap. On pages 70 and 71 she is forced into doing something that she would rather not do, and takes it all in stride and tries to make the best of it.
My impression of Anne at the beginning was that she was a quiet genius that looked out for others happiness and well being. As the story progressed, I came to realize that this description is only there because the people around her aren’t worth Anne’s time to show who she really is. She allows them to only see the quiet polite person that can do whatever they wish, but there is so much more. She has hopes and dreams about her own future, she has desires and longings for a love that is deeper and richer than mere beauty and status, she has pain and hurt from the comments made out of jest and gossip by those around her, she is a true character, while all of the others are make believe. My impression of Anne has only deepened as I have read the story, and I hope will continue to deepen as I read more about her character and what she does.
In the beginning of the story Anne appears to anything but a main character. She is misunderstood and appears to be unimportant to all the people around her. She is referred to as "nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight..she was only Anne" (11). Yet so many people rely on her. When Mary is "ill" she says "I cannot possibly do without Anne" (32). And when Louisa gets hurt everyone "seemed to look to her for directions" (93).
ReplyDeleteAnne also appears to be walked all over by the people in her life. When her father and sister move to Bath, she is forced to move to Uppercross with Mary, no matter what her opinion is. She is also talked out of her engagement with Captain Wentworh by Lady Russell (27). However, as the story continues Anne begins to express her opinion more often and stick to her guns. She is even referred to as "unpersuadable" (51) at one point.
Austen also hints throughout the novel how smart and understandable Anne is, as compared to the rest of her family. Anne has a conversation with Captain Benwick about books and poetry (84-85). She is also good as reading people, especially Wentworth. At one point, when Mrs. Croft is talking to Wentworth, Anne sees his response and "she received no other answer, than an artifical, assenting smile, followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne perfectly knew the meaning of" (73). I hope as the story continues into volume two, we get to see Anne's character develop further, and hopefully she will be able to stand up to others.
Throughout Book 1 of the novel, we get to see a bit in to who Anne really is. Is she a positive person or a negative person? What big part will she have to play in this book to where she is even mentioned? I believe Anne is a woman who is underrated. She is looked over and people do not see the great person that she is. “His two other children were of very inferior value. Mary had acquired a little artificial importance, buy becoming Mrs. Charles Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no weight; her convenience was always to give away; -- she was only Anne” (11). I believe others do not respect her for the smart, intellectual woman that I think she will prove to be by the end of the novel. In another part in the novel there is some one who becomes interested in what Anne has to say. This woman’s name is Lady Russell. “She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations, and she did, what no one else thought of doing, she consulted Anne, who ever seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the question” (16). I believe that she thinks since Anne is never considered as having an opinion, she might have something new to say to help Lady Russell with her economic status.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that Anne’s true identity is revealed not in things that the narrator says about her or other things that people say about her but rather in the things that are not said about her, and are said about others. Such as when Elizabeth is “very like [her father]” (11) and we already know that he is vain and that is the full extent of his character, this not only is a direct line to tell you Elizabeth is vain as well but also a very direct way of telling you that Anne is not vain and in not being vain she is unlike her father and her sister which also implies many more things beyond that. In opinions of the narrator Anne may be the plain and simple one but what is never said about Anne is that she is vain, or as shallow as the rest of her family seems to be. I frankly take this as the narrator complementing Anne for not being like the others without coming right out and saying that she is a realistic, level-headed, and deep human being. Describing Anne by using the contrast of others makes the text much richer when this discovery is made. I think Anne is the sensible one in any situation, when Little Charles gets hurt not only is she the only one remaining calm yet concerned, Austen shows that she is a genuine leader when even the strong navy man Captain Wentworth asks “Anne, Anne. What is to be done next?”(93). Anne never herself takes full charge and directs the situation. This all reveals more of her character that even other people know how capable she is yet she is not a bold and brash leader. Initially I just kept wanting Anne to speak up for herself and make it known that she was not just a doormat, as was obvious to me reading that she wasn’t, however through reading more I think the fact that she remains the way she is, is more admirable. By remaining true to herself I think we really end up seeing more of her character and it’s enduring to me. I do really think that this makes it so that when something truly eventful does happen it will be even more special when Anne finally speaks up.
ReplyDeleteIn reading Persuasion we come across Anne as a character. She is a member of the Elliot family and this family is very proper with elegance. They take their family pride very seriously and really believe in keeping the family wealthy and doing what is best for all of them.
ReplyDeleteAnne is the one family member that never seems like she has any problems with anything. Her personality is a soft spoken voiced woman that is living in Bath housing while the rest of the family is living in Kellynch Hall. She got placed there with Lady Russell and Mrs. Clay. They all live there.
Anne is such a keen, loving person that she takes orders from her sister, Mary. Anne is the type of person that will do anything to make a person happy and will put anyone else before herself. While taking orders from her sister, Mary, the transition from Kellynch to Bath makes Mary feel deserted. Mary states “I cannot possibly do without Anne” (Austen, 32).
There was one scene in the book where Anne did run into a little trouble and didn’t know what to say or how to respond. On page 44, she was talking to Mrs. Croft and all along she thought that it was Anne’s sister that had a connection with Admiral Croft (her brother) when in reality it really was Anne. Then Mrs. Croft states that he is married. Although through Anne’s struggles, she still finds that people find the goodness in her.
From almost the very first page, Anne’s character is portrayed in a not so positive light. The first description we as readers see of her is given by the narrator through the perspective and opinion of her family. My initial impressions of Anne were that she was a quiet, passive, and timid woman of high morality, albeit very suppressed, ignored, and devalued by the rest of her family. Anne “was nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight…she was only Anne” (11). We find, in the first few pages, that the Elliot family is depicted as a rather shallow and snobby bunch that places undue importance on one’s physical appearance, wealth, and prestigious title, or lack thereof. Nonetheless, even though Anne’s “bloom had vanished early…her father had found little to admire in her” even at the supposed peak of her physical attractiveness (11). Furthermore, in the middle of a “retrenchment” where the rest of her family is chiefly concerned with saving themselves from embarrassment and maintaining the status quo, “every emendation of Anne’s had been on the side of honesty against importance” (16). Essentially, she was more concerned with paying back the creditors and getting the family’s finances in line than maintaining the misconception of luxury and extravagant condescension.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, Anne was quite unlike the rest of her family in that she did not strive to be recognized. Aside from practically being walked all over by her father and sisters, Anne was at her happiest and most satisfied when the attention was away from her as she “desired nothing in return but to be unobserved” (62), and her object was “not to be in the way of anybody” (71). This attitude of complacency and inaction enabled others’ views towards her, keeping her at the bottom of the family totem pole.
To counteract the treatment towards Anne by her family, the narrator subtlety interjects the text with the truth about Anne saying she had “an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding” (11), and also describing her as “Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind” (27). Her siblings are not blind to these facts, even though they choose to ignore them at times. Even though they don’t outwardly appreciate or recognize her as an important part of the family, “nobody will want her in Bath” (32), individually, they all do recognize her intelligence, rationality, and communication skills by employing her as the mediator in many family disagreements, even between husband and wife (40).
However, the very moment when my impression of Anne’s character drastically changes comes at the very end of Volume I when Louisa falls and seriously injures her head (91). Ironically, this whole scene starts with a gentleman admiring Anne’s apparent “bloom and freshness of youth” which had seemingly been liberated by the absence of her family (87). After Louisa falls while on their walk, a vivid scene of chaos and panic ensues. Anne quickly took charge with a crisp mind and composure, directing everyone to a specific task in order to save Louisa’s life; even the manly and heroic Captain Wentworth acted “as if all his own strength were gone” (92). Everyone in the group, besides Anne, was panicked and “seemed to look to her for directions (93). In fact, Anne’s take-charge approach may have actually saved the life of Louisa, all while providing the reader with a snippet of Anne’s true potential as a leading role, giving readers, like me, the glimpse of hope that she will finally stand up to her sisters and father and take control of her life.
Anne Elliot is a daughter of Sir Walter Elliot. The book introduced Anne as a nobody,” but Anne,…,was nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight” (11). However, the book also stated that to Lady Russell, Anne is a “highly valued god-daughter, favorite and friend” (11). This is two contrast statements about one character and it makes me confused at first about her character. But as I continue reading, I understand more about Anne. Anne characteristic become more interesting when she decided to speaks her mind about the navy. She said that the navy “has at least an equal claim with any other set of men” (21). Even though her father does not even consider her opinion but at least she tried to state her opinion. The book said that her word has no weight but a lot of people seek for her opinion. Captain Wentworth even asked her opinion about how he is going to tell Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove about Louisa, “Do you think this is a good plan?” (98). Anne is also a bright woman. She made an economic plan for Sir Walter Elliot so that he can clear his debt. “She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations” (16). Anne is also a very beautiful woman, “very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness restored by the fine wind which has been blowing by her complexion” (87). Her beauty is admired by a lot of men, “it was evidence that gentleman, admired her exceedingly” (87).
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has read a few of Austen’s other novels (Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma), I somehow knew that Anne would be a little more important than that initial description because I don’t think Austen would include a character who doesn’t have something to prove. Anne is only briefly noted in the first few pages of the novel and because of this I initially thought the main character was going to be Elizabeth because Sir Walter Elliot “had never indulged much hope, he had now none, of ever reading her name [Anne] in any other page of his favorite work.” (11) Luckily Elizabeth dropped off and the story switched to everyone’s need of Anne to solve their problems.
ReplyDeleteI almost enjoy how seemingly timid and polite Anne is. Her humbleness in believing that “to be claimed as good is at least better than being rejected as no good at all” (32) shows a contrast from many of her peers because she doesn’t need to be the center of attention but is “glad to be thought of some use.” (32) Her politeness is evident in many instances throughout the pages we have read so far, especially involving staying with Mary’s hurt child and generally just paying attention to Mary. Personally I think much of this politeness is a defense mechanism to avoid contact with the charming Mr. Wentworth. She escapes one of the many dinners by “the mixed plea of a head-ache of her own, and some return of indisposition in little Charles. She had thought only of avoiding Wentworth.” (66) She is also convinced to ride with the Crofts home after the walk to Winthrop in order to leave Wentworth alone on the return walk with Louisa. (77)
The events that occur at the conclusion of Volume I with Louisa’s little tumble lead me to believe that something is going to happen between Anne and Wentworth. She seems to become more asserted when everyone is quite fretful. Her knowledge of emergency situations and general commonsense emerge. There are just too many little meetings between Wentworth and Anne to allow for that prior romance to truly fizzle out. I hope that Anne’s character will continue become more important and she regains her “bloom.”
Having read Austen's Sense and Sensibility recently, I must admit that my expectations for Anne were rather high. I suspected, although "she was only Anne" (11), that she would become the usual Austen heroine--a sort of moral compass for the rest of the characters. In the beginning, she certainly began to live up to this notion, albeit quietly.
ReplyDeleteShe is always commenting to herself on the actions of her father, sister, and many acquaintances. She takes a position of command in some comments, as when discussing the course of action her father should take concerning Kellynch: "[t]his was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be proceeding" (16). In this statement, Anne puts herself (at least in her own eyes) in a place of superiority--and rightly so in this instance.
One sees this place of superiority again in her conversation with Mary upon arrival at the Cottage. "Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent; but she had ceased to endeavour to check it" (37). She has put herself in the place of having the right to "check" her sister's actions.
As I read the last half of the first volume, I had hoped that she would maintain this place she had set for herself, empowering herself against being downtrodden by her family. But I feel that she is becoming more and more withdrawn, and even self-deprecating in a few instances. One example is seen in her thoughts to herself after having rallied Captain Benwick. She couldn't "help fearing, on more serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct would ill bear examination" (85). I can only hope that she starts thinking better of herself again.
I'd have to say that from the beginning of the first volume to its conclusion, Anne has changed a bit for me. Where at first I admired her, I now don't quite know what to think--she seems to be less of a strong character to me now. I am anxious to see how she develops as we dive into Volume II.
Alicia Smith
ReplyDeleteI have read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, and though I haven’t read any other books by her, many claim that most of her stories have a bold character such as Elizabeth as a protagonist (the main character from Pride and Prejudice). With that backround, it was incredibly jarring for me to read about this passive, accepting personality Anne has. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed at first; I still am right now.
We all know that Anne comes from a family of fools – I don’t think I have to have book references to their idiocy, due to the fact that it is common knowledge after finishing the first chapter. But Anne… she’s smart. She’s the one doing all of the real work in the household. When Mary’s son fell and got hurt, it was up to Anne to pick up the pieces and deal with his injury. “Anne had everything to do at once – the apothecary to send for… which brought her an accession rather of frightened, enquiring companions, than of very useful ones,”. (47-48)Though there are many examples before this particular moment, this scene illustrates beautifully just how much responsibility Anne had without any help or concern from her family. And instead of persuading others to help her, Anne just takes the work in stride and does it all herself. Page 42 even has a paragraph that starts, “How was Anne going to set these matters to rights?”(42) The line continues with her way of, “listen patiently, soften every grievance,”.
Then Captain Wentworth enters the scene, and this is the heart of my frustration. Anne was engaged (or at least courted) with the Captain eight years ago, and they seemed to have genuinely liked each other; “when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love,”. (27) Anne fell subject to the persuasion of her family, she ended this relationship, only to find out years later that the Captain was an excellent match, not just by her standards when they were in love, but also by Sir Walter and Elizabeth’s standards of wealth – though Wentworth is still an ugly old sailor. It’s sick, twisted irony for Anne because not only could she have the love of her life at nineteen, but she could have spat in her family’s face and said, “HAHAHA! I’m rich and you’re going to debtor’s prison because I’m not babysitting your lavish spending! Good luck, pompous morons!!!”
Alas, where would the story be if that had happened?
I do love this irony because it makes things more interesting, but Anne isn’t dealing with her frustration. She has to be frustrated by now! I just want her to slap someone. Preferably her father; he should know better, but doesn’t. And assuming that this is a love story like many other Austen works, I can see a lot of romantic tension that is going to drive both me and Anne up the wall. Adding this to my already pent up frustration, I might explode.
My conclusion: Anne is a pacifist. That’s who she was brought up to be by her vain father, her vain sisters, her spoiled family. I am looking forward to when Anne stands up for herself, and if that doesn’t happen, then the story might not be such a great narrative work. A protagonist usually goes through a drastic change by overcoming obstacles. My hope is that Anne starts living for herself.
I kept wondering about why Anne was treated as nothing by her family though she was present in their lives instead of living in a closet under the stairs or locked away in a room with a house-elf when guests came over. The characters I disliked the most were Sir Elliot and Elizabeth because they truly treat Anne like she doesn’t exist. Even though Anne is treated pretty horribly by her sisters and father I like how she doesn’t let it get to her and she keeps going on with her life.
ReplyDeleteAs I kept reading through the story it seemed somewhat like a puzzle to me when trying to figure out what kind of person Anne is rather than the negative descriptive of her in the eyes of her family members “her word had no weight; her convenience was always to give way; -she was only Anne.” (page 11). I did enjoy the comment that was given by Crystal in class about how Austen was implying that Anne’s father and sister had not once ounce of understanding since they couldn’t see Anne for what she was (which was the puzzle for me to figure out) “but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of understanding, was nobody with either father or sister” (page 11).
It honestly baffled me when I read Lady Russel had consulted Anne about the idea of whether Anne’s family should undergo retrenching for some amount of years to make it back on top. When the people close around Anne didn’t treat her like much anything I was happy to see that someone could see some of the brilliance she had even if it’s just an opinion they are asking for. “she consulted Anne, who never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her, in marking out the scheme of retrenchment” (page 16).
Not just her opinion in whether they should retrench or not got me interested in her but also her opinions on other topics like soldiers in the navy. “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,” (page 21). To have such equal thoughts show that she is quite the person who wishes the good and fairness for all as they live their lives.
For now I can say that this story doesn’t appeal to me much, for now, but if anything is going to keep me going it is to solve the puzzle of what kind of person Anne is throughout all of her thoughts and actions. What can I say she is an interesting character!
While reading the beginning of Persuasion, I wasn’t even sure who the main character was. I talked so much about other characters and barely said anything about Anne. It talked about her as plain and she seemed, at first glance, very unimportant to me. When I continued to read the book I came to find out that my initial impression was very wrong. The way her dad describes her is completely off. After the first few chapters her character began to unfold for me and I started to see that she was actually the most admirable of characters. It seems that Anne has a way of reading other characters, and seeing what’s underneath them. She is deeper than most other characters in the book. This is shown numerous times throughout the storyline. An example of this is on page 58 when it states, “There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth’s face at his speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth, which convinced Anne that instead of sharing in Mrs. Musgroves kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at such pains to get rid of him.” (VIII.58). In these few lines it describes her way of reading the captain and understanding what was under the surface. She does this on more than one account.
ReplyDeleteAgain this is shown when Anne is reading her sisters exaggerations and lies when she explains how she is so ill. Anne states “But you have never asked me one work about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday.” “Did you go then? I have made no enquiries because I concluded you must have been obliged to give up the party.” (V.36) She reads that he sister is lying to her in order to use her. Anne, very calmly and in a sarcastic way calls her out, while Mary seems to barely even notice. Anne is one again using her ability to read other. Anne is very smart, witty, and charming. A very different view of what I expected from reading the first chapter.
In the beginning of the book, Anne seems to be nobody and no one cares much for her. She is referred to as "nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight..she was only Anne" (11). We do see that although Anne's family thinks little of her, other people of importance think well of her. She is identified "with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding" (11). This leads the reader to believe that throughout the rest of the book, we should be holding her at a high regard. However, we see by the way her two sisters and father treat her, that she is not held at this high regard we have in our heads.
ReplyDeleteAs the book goes on, we come to realize that Anne is unlike the rest of her family in that she does not strive to be recognized. Although this is a great quality about her, she has a fault in that it appears she is walked all over by the people in her life. When her father and sister move to Bath, she is forced to move to Uppercross with her sister Mary, no matter what she says or what she does. She is also talked out of her engagement with Captain Wentworh by Lady Russell (27).
As we read on, we learn while Anne is in Uppercross that individuals ask her to persuade another person of something. For example, “I wish you would persuade Mary to not always be fancying herself ill.”(40). If Anne truly is nobody as she has been portrayed then one has to wonder why the Musgroves think she is capable of persuading anyone of anything.
My initial impressions of Anne have changed from the beginning of Book I to the end of it. I believed her to be a nobody at the beginning of the novel because that's what the narrator wanted me to believe. However, after getting to know Anne a little better I believe that although the Elliot family sees Anne as insignificant, the book continues to display more characteristics that make her unique and the most interesting person within the story. I'm eager to read on and learn what else is in store for Anne.
In the beginning of the book we see Anne as a character of little importance and ultimately the “black sheep” of the family. Her own father even finds “little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate features and mild dark eyes from his own),” (11). However, I feel that in this moment it shows the lack of family support and a self-obsessed father. Earlier in the description it tells of Anne having an “elegance of mind and a sweetness of character” leading me to believe that she is, although not knowing it, is better than her family in many ways, but that’s what makes her a great character. She sticks with her family regardless of their thoughts and feelings even though she knows they are terrible and vain people.
ReplyDeleteWe also see Anne caring for others in front of herself. When Little Charles breaks his collarbone, Anne is the one that everyone looks at to provide care for the boy. The same thing happens when Louisa falls while walking on the Cobb. Captain Wentworth and Charles question her for direction saying, “Anne, Anne. What is to be done next?”(93). Anne may be seen as unimportant and often overlooked in the family, however, they still look to her to mend everything.
Continuing on in the book I am interested to see how Anne’s character matures and starts to realize that you can’t always please everyone and maybe sometimes doing things for yourself could ultimately pay off.
Although Anne is the main character of Persuasion, the beginning of the story does not make it obvious. Normally a person’s family is their main support, but for Anne she “was nobody with either father or sister … she was only Anne” (11). She also is described as a girl who used to be pretty but her bloom had vanished early (11). These descriptions made me feel like Anne was this pale, mousy girl that was quiet and let everyone walk all over her. However, I am glad to find out that as the story goes on, her character is brought more to light and we start to see the real Anne.
ReplyDeleteWe soon find out that only her family looks down upon her, while everyone else seems quite fond of her. At the beginning we find that Lady Russell highly values her (11). Then we see that Mary truly wants Anne to be there with her at Uppercross (32), and that the Musgroves enjoyed her company as well because she made Mary happy (41). Her visit with the Musgroves really develops her character. She is shown to be calm and take charge when problems arise, such as when little Charles breaks his collar bone (47-48) or when Louisa falls and hits her head (92). Wentworth even looks to her for advice when Louisa has her accident (93). We also learn that Anne is very good at reading people and their emotions (“she received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile, followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne perfectly knew the meaning of” – pg.73).
I am glad that my views on Anne were wrong in the beginning of the story. She is turning out to be a very interesting character and I can’t wait to see how she further develops as we move along in the story.
Anne Elliot… At first, it was difficult to really put a finger on who she really is. After all, she was often over looked by her father Sir Walter Elliot. In my opinion which many may agree with me, she is just soft spoken and timid but has a good head on her shoulders. Of course, one thing I saw was kind of like a part from movies where we get our introductions to each character, Mary being immature and misleading (also stupid), and Elizabeth who is “very father like” (11), and then there is Anne who is the middle child. You know what they say about the middle child… they get the least amount of attention in the family. I feel that Anne’s situation is the epitome of “Middle-child syndrome” (yes, I just made that up). Reading on, I feel she deserves a lot more than what is given in her current status as the “ghost-child”. Anne had the guts to reject the hand of Frederick in marriage because she even believed that it went against the honor and civility of her family. “She was persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing- indiscreet, improper, hardly capable of success and not deserving it” (28). It felt strange knowing she had the opportunity that Mary had in having a significant other, and wasn’t able to attain that dream, at least not yet. Anne Elliot, the kind, generous, thoughtful little flower that she is, is just not on anyone’s radar. This I feel is what describes Anne Elliot. This is I believe is constant in her, I don’t feel that she has changed in the story and she shouldn’t, because it is who she is.
ReplyDeleteInitially through the opinions of Anne’s family we get the idea that Anne is not important and doesn’t have a strong character. However, as the narrative moves forward it becomes obvious that it is her father Sir Walter Elliot and the rest of her family that are flawed and Anne is the normal one. The reason that her family feels this way is that they can’t relate to her because she is so different. Anne is level-headed and considerate of others while her family is extremely image conscious and arrogant. Anne proves that she is a leading character and important in the first twelve chapters. The first instance where Anne really stands out from the rest of her family is when Lady Russell and Mr. Shepard suggest that the Elliot family move into another smaller home to save money and rent out Kellynch. Anne agrees with this while her family protests the idea and is offended by it. I think Anne is more responsible and understands that saving money is more important than saving face and living above their means. Also Anne is loyal to her family even though they seem like they aren’t loyal to her. Elizabeth her sister is closer to Mrs. Clay than she is even with Anne. But Anne considers her family above her own happiness. Anne had fallen for Captain Wentworth but because of his lack of money and lower social status it was unacceptable to her family. By the urging of Lady Russell and the impact it would have on her family she ended her engagement with him. “She was persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing; indiscreet, improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it” (Chapter 4, Page 21). This is Anne’s source of heartache and struggle for the next eight years but she endures this because of her family. So I think my initial opinion of her has changed but it is because I can form my opinion of Anne through her own actions and words, not those of her father or the narrator.
ReplyDeleteFor me, whenever I watch a movie or read a book, or encounter any sort of character, it is always the mysterious ones who are the most intriguing. The absence of knowledge regarding the individual leaves me desiring to know more and more. My intrigue is maintained within Persuasion when Anne Elliot is first encountered. It was obvious from the beginning that Anne was going to be a central part of the novel, however I thought she was going to be some boring and absentminded person of nobility like her father.
ReplyDeleteWe learn more and more about Anne as the novel progresses. The first instance in which she speaks is found on page 21, when she comments on the navy. While her comments are agreeable with the Shepherds, Sir Walter is quite against it. While on its own, this comment may seem like a simple difference of opinion, when paired with the fact that Anne is, in his mind, of “inferior value” (11), it suggests that Walter simply disregards all comments Anne makes.
Further into the novel, we find that Anne is much more level-headed than both her male and female acquaintances. When Young Charles breaks his collar-bone, she is the one who stays with him while Mary continues to be a horrible person and goes to dinner. When Louisa gets injured out on the walk, no one knows what to do. Henrietta passes out, Mary simply screams, “She is dead!” (92), Charles attempts to run for a surgeon in an area where he knows no surgeons and Capt. Wentworth goes into some sort of self-absorbed shock. Anne is the only one who seems to be able to take charge of the situation and delegate tasks to help Louisa.
In my opinion, the part of the novel that defines Anne the best is when she is visiting with Mary. She is constantly put between people and their issues with each other and asked to be the middle-woman. Mrs Musgrove thinks highly of Anne, as she says “Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing Mrs Charles had a little more of your method with those children … Mrs. Charles knows no more how they should be treated!” (41) In addition, Charles also thinks that Mary spoils the children. Anne is put in these situations because she is the most rational person, and can also deal with people like Mary without absolutely blowing up on them, as I would in the situation, and I’m sure the other characters would as well.
I have had to speed through this novel as I just bought my second copy and once I got through the accent I found a few quotes that were satirically brilliant of stereotypes of a melodramatic, narcissistic nobleman during that era. The quote I am speaking of I am sure everyone has almost forgot about since we read it so long ago but It comes from chapter three while Shepard is trying to coax Elliot out of his child-like stubbornness when Anne says how grand the navy is for defending their country and Sir Walter Elliot replies with two reasons (he presumes are worthy) for his dislike of navy men, “…raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly…… becoming prematurely of disgust to himself…. As a sea faring life can do.” (C3 p22) I loved the way Austen set this up to satirize nobles as being just as caddy and ill-informed as a normal, low class person could be. I believe that it could possibly be her way of commenting on the fact that even though there is differentiation in classes through rank, family and wealth there is no difference when it comes to personality traits and rude, ignorant behavior. It is also rather funny in its own way because at the base of it all Sir Walter Elliot might even sound a little jealous, almost as though his rank were at stake. This is exemplified when he talks about the Navy men as lesser men merely using the Navy as a means of social ascension. Austen is a very smart person, it is tough with the accent and the plot to always unearth the gems she provides though.
ReplyDeleteWhen Anne was first introduced, I perceived her as your typical "middle child." She seemed quiet, only speaking when spoken to, and nobody really paid her any mind; "She was only Anne." (11). For the most part, this is sort of how she was seen for the times spent at Kellynch and Uppercross. It wasn't until the journey to Lyme that we started to see a change in Anne, albeit slight at first. While in Lyme, "She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the find wind..." (87) She also gained more respect in Lyme when dealing with Louissa's fall. It was her that everyone looked to during the whole ordeal, showing that she was really coming into her own, and was starting to appear as the matriarch that her mother was, to whom she was frequently compared.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel Persuasion (which I didn’t quite hate) we are introduced to many different characters that represent many different traits in people. However, we are also introduced to Sir Walter Elliot’s daughter Anne and said that she is just Anne. This is not true as the entire novel is centered around her growth mentally and emotionally. One part in the novel where we see that Anne is more than just a mere girl is when Louisa is being silly and jumps off the steps into Wentworth’s hands and liked it so much that she decided to do it again. Which personally I think was kind of weird. Anyway we see Anne’s strength in that everyone else is freaking out around her and she is the only one with enough common sense to stay calm and bandage her and get her to safety. Another time in the book is when Sir Walter and Elizabeth are practically drooling over their rich relatives and Anne, being the one who can see past status, finds their behavior embarrassing and foolish. Anne throughout the novel is seen as doing the right thing and always being there to help out someone. This can be seen in the time when Mary complains about not being able to go out because of her son and Anne volunteers to stay and help. Perhaps the fact that Anne is different from everyone else in both complexity and mentality, is what really gets her the happy ending.
ReplyDeleteAnne seems to be a very sane and practical woman, which is welcoming with the set of characters in Persuasion. She is not pleased with the way her father, Sir Walter has dwindled the family’s finances. And in despite of this has no intention on cutting back on his lavish lifestyle. Quite clearly against her father and sister’s lifestyle, Anne remains somewhat hush on this matter even though it does not please her.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't seem to be one to judge a person's character on just their social standing, but yet still quietly does in her trip to Lyme. 'These would have been all my friends,' was her though, and she had to struggle against a great tendency to lowness (82-83). She remains aware of her social standing, yet is cordial to all, which is comforting since most families of wealth at this time have the same demeaning nature as that of her sister Elizabeth.
Anne also seems to be a very caring and helpful individual. She volunteers to watch Charles, as Mary has another terrible illness, her worst ever she states. Actions like this from Anne show her tolerance regardless of the circumstances. Her family is very troubled in my eyes, and Anne is a significant player in keeping the family from losing everything. I’m unsure if my thoughts on Anne will change throughout the novel, as she seems to be one of the very few characters with a decent head on their shoulders.