(Blog instructions below)
Here are some notecard highlights of the week:
"Capt. Wentworth is the man."
"Glad this book is over just because Mary gives me anxiety and raises my blood pressure."
"At this point I am just waiting for Mary to lose her voice."
"The letter from Wentworth to Anne makes the whole book worth it."
"I love Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne...I wish it was addressed to me instead."
"Wentworth is the first likable person in the book. He's going to die, isn't he."
"BEST LOVE LETTER EVER!!"
And now for this week's post, due Friday at class, worth 25 blog points and up to 35 quiz points (remember: 25 bp does not necessarily = 35 qp).
Find a phrase, a moment, or a scene in Persuasion and compare it to a parallel phrase, moment, or single scene in any of our 3 previous texts. This comparison must be focused, articulate, and substantive.
For example, on the bottom of page 148, Anne recalls the events at Lyme and says, "The last few hours were certainly very painful, but when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure. One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering."
This parallels Hyoi's statement in OSP that "a pleasure is only full grown when it is remembered" (74), though in an inverted fashion: Hyoi begins with pleasure and ends with memory while Anne begins with memory and ends with pleasure. Of course, OSP is referring to joyous events while Anne is referring to tragic events. And yet they both come to the same conclusion - that memory plays an important role in "completing" life's moments. Ransom experienced tragic things on both earth and Malacandra but he loved them both and had fond memories of both because neither was defined solely by suffering. And one could reasonably assume that though Anne would probably love to reclaim the 8 years she lost with Wentworth, still the memory of his passionate letter to her and their subsequent reunion will provide her with deep, long-lasting pleasure that she would likely not trade for the world.
After introducing the two comparative elements (in brief, and citations please), provide some analysis and commentary. Does the parallel surprise you? Does it enrich either or both of the texts? What might we say about the presence of these similar moments in such diverse texts? Please don't try to answer all of these questions. They're simply some optional launching pads, though you are also welcome to consider your own analytical question(s).
Length: half to full single spaced page (1" margins, 12 pt font, name and date at top)
Due: hard copy at beginning of Friday's class / blog comment AFTER class
I found a moment in Persuasion that parallels a moment in Out of the Silent Planet. Towards the end of chapter six in volume one of Persuasion, there is a paragraph that explains the history of Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove’s son. “…the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his twentieth year…he was stupid and unmanageable on shore…seldom heard of, and scarcely at all regretted.” The summary of this boy shows how he was unintelligent and bothersome to his parents who readily saw his flaws.
ReplyDeleteIn Out of the Silent Planet, Ransom encounters the mother of a boy who describes her own son, Harry, as “being a little simple.” Ransom goes out of his way to recover the boy and send him back to his mother; this is where he meets Weston and Devine. After Harry is sent on his way, Weston says, “The boy was ideal, incapable of serving humanity and only too likely to propagate idiocy” (Lewis 21). Weston was going to use Harry as a disposable means to achieve his ends and would have preferred using Harry over a more intelligent man (Ransom).
These two passages are similar in that there are two unintelligent and blundering characters introduced in each. Both of these characters are disliked by someone they know; in Harry’s case, he is disliked by his employer whereas in the case of Richard, he is disliked by his own parents. Both Austen and Lewis are commenting on the roles of these less intelligible people in society. Austen uses free indirect discourse to explain Richard’s situation, and she describes his death as desirable here for comedic effect. Lewis is critiquing the importance of a single person in context to the whole; Weston is a despicable character and has no problem in forcing Harry into a bad situation so long as it achieves his goals for humanity. I found it interesting that both of these authors are making a statement on unintelligent people and on the views held by the people these characters encounter.
Anne was an eloquent woman, and though few viewed her as an important being, they valued her opinion in times of difficulty. Many times in the book, people look to Anne because “Anne said what was proper…” (35). Eloquence must have been a prestigious compliment and characteristic in the times that Persuasion and The Odyssey were written. In many instances throughout Persuasion people are described as “well-spoken” (24). The idea of eloquence parallels with the story of Telemachus in The Odyssey. When Telemachus is to speak in the book, he is described as “ready Telemachus” (1. 268), “wise in his own way too” (2. 23), and “poised” (3. 84). Both of the main characters in this book are considered to be eloquent, and it seems that eloquence determines importance. I was surprised by this parallel in these two books because eloquence is not emphasized as much in our culture in present times. Now people are considered famous for speaking improperly, cursing, and using slang; in both of these books, speaking properly was of the utmost importance. In Persuasion, it is proven the eloquence is of importance because Mary is not, and no one is pleased to be around her. Mary takes any opportunity she has to complain, and she is not taken seriously. Anne is looked to in times of distress, for example when Louisa is injured; Charles asks Anne, “What is to be done next?” (93). because Anne is “proper” she is the one that people go to when they are in need. Even though Mary and others are around, they look to Anne because she is even-tempered and will keep control of the situation with her use of words.
ReplyDeleteThough there are many different interpretations of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and the reason for the ending line, “...more distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its national importance,” the connotations in this line seem quite familiar (Austen 203). Seeing as one could compare all of Persuasion to Homer’s Odyssey I will focus solely on this line and what it means in both novels. Jane Austen creates a story around the characters of Captain Fredrick Wentworth and Anne Elliot, as Homer creates his story around Odysseus and Penelope. Both characters in each story have a mess of problems in which both main characters have somewhat created for themselves. Anne is wishing to be with Fredrick Wentworth as Odysseus is longing to return home to Penelope; and while one could easily make this comparison, the ending of both stories are open to interpretation.
ReplyDeleteThe line stated above shows a feeling of closure to Anne as she has been battling, for a little over eight years, her emotions for Fredrick and her issues with her families materialistic approach to life. The ending sentence serves closure for the reason that her life now is not at all associated with “national importance” but focussed around “domestic virtues.” I take this as an end to the life of her family which was solely focussed around themselves and their place in society for a life Anne has longed for with Fredrick Wentworth, a life of happiness and love. Though there are also inferences that Fredrick will be going back to war at some point this only makes the comparison between the Odyssey and Persuasion stronger.
In order to compare this to the Odyssey one needs to decide whether they think Odysseus truly came back for his wife, Penelope, or for the fame of his return. Odysseus goes through great lengths toward the end of the story to reveal himself to Penelope and his family. His love and content towards her show when he says, “Dear woman, we both have had out fill of trials. [...] and I pinned down in pain by Zeus and other gods, for all my desire, blocked me from reaching home” (23 ll 394-398). This is similar to the ending of Persuasion in many inferred ways. Both men and women in the end, relieved for many reasons, feel content that they have their loved ones. Their past lives don’t matter, neither the seven year separation between Anne and Fredrick nor the 20 year separation between Odysseus and Penelope. Their lives have been turned around greatly but the feeling of closure, received by all, is due to the return of Odysseus and the realization of Wentworth and Anne. Odysseus is no longer focussed on his fame as Anne has rid herself of the materialistic life. Both embrace domesticity and love for their partners, until the next separation.
In both Out of the silent Planet and Persuasion, there are two parallel moments in the texts. These parallel moments show a similarity between Anne Elliot and Ransom. The moment in Persuasion, “She persisted in a very determined, though very silent, declination for Bath; caught the first dim view of extensive buildings, smoking in the rain, without any wish of seeing them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however disagreeable, yet too rapid” (Volume 2, p. 110). Anne is referring to the industrialization and growth of the city in disdain. She wishes for “the seclusion of Kellynch” (Volume 2, p.110) instead Bath. This is very similar to Ransom the Pedestrian’s feeling in Out of the Silent Planet “It was a desolate, featureless sort of country mainly devoted to cabbage and turnip, with poor hedges and few trees. It attracted no visitors like the richer country south of Nadderby and it was protected by the hills from the industrial areas behind Sterk” (p.10). We can see Ransom’s view on industrialization in this passage. He seems to view industrialization as destructive and unwanted to him based on the words “protected by”. These two passages show us how both Anne and Ransom view the city and industrialization compared to the countryside that is uninterrupted by multiple buildings, industry, and too many people. It is surprising to me that both of these characters are parallel to one another in this case. I believe that this similar disinterest in the industrialized areas enriches them as characters and makes them set-apart from the rest of the world in the books. I believe it also gives us an in-depth look into their characters and how they view the world. They seem to take interest in the simple things in life and view the industrialization as imposing on the simplistic nature that can be life. Anne prefers the quiet countryside and wishes to be around family, not the hustle and bustle of the city. Ransom prefers to be by himself exploring the unmarred countryside. As I said previously, the simple quote taken from the books show us the unique nature of the two main characters in the books.
ReplyDeleteThe moment in Persuasion when Anne is reading Captain Frederick Wentworth’s letter very much made me think of the reunification of Odysseus and Penelope in The Odyssey. I specifically paralleled the line in Odysseus’ story, “yes, but she (Calypso) never won the heart inside him, never…” (466. 380), to a very similar line in Captain Frederick’s love letter; “I have loved none but you” (223). These are two very bold claims that definitely affected my perspective of both men, and also provided me with some hope for the women in the future. Both Odysseus and Penelope and Anne and Captain Frederick had been separated for years, but in their absences neither man has let another woman take his heart. Comparatively, each statement was emotional and rational, but neither was totally unexpected. Though Penelope was being courted by over one hundred suitors, we knew that Odysseus would arrive home and they would be happily together again. And though it seemed Captain Frederick had a small love interest in Miss Louisa Musgrove, he and Anne inevitably had to be together in the end. Perhaps these two statements can be so easily paralleled because of the similarities in the nature of the situations, as well as in the character of the speakers. Odysseus and Captain Frederick were both extremely multidimensional and desirable men, each was a member in a service (NAVY, Greek warrior) that ultimately lead him to high status, both men had very strong emotions and judgments, and each man, for different reasons, has his heart broken. The Odyssey and Persuasion are two very different pieces of literature from two very different time periods, yet similar concepts and ideas can be paralleled throughout. As this assignment involved very critical thinking and reading, something that I don’t usually do when reading for my own enjoyment, I was definitely surprised to find a parallel in such diverse texts. I began to think about literature as a whole and how every piece of literature can encompass such a vast amount of ideas and feelings in simply one section. It may be easier to draw parallels between two similar pieces of literature, but looking for parallels in The Odyssey and Persuasion allowed me to think about the authors, and how much respect I have for them. Without the depth at which Authors describe characters and situations and feelings, drawing these types of parallels and critically comparing pieces would be extremely difficult.
ReplyDeleteWhen Anne is talking to Captain Harville she defends her sex with, “We certainly do not forget you, so soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on exertion. You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some sort or another, to take you back into the world immediately, and continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions.” (pg 187). Penelope talks about her husband who is off at sea, “…the unforgettable grief, it wounds me most of all! How I long for my husband-alive in memory, always,” (88. 394). Telemachus said, “So, mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for giving orders, men will see to that,” (89. 410).
ReplyDeleteBoth Anne and Penelope are talking about missing the one they love. Despite several years passing, both women’s love has not wavered. In both instances, the women have nothing to do but tend to their home and think about the men that they love. Even though it was Penelope’s husband and Anne’s ex-fiance, both women had lost their close relationship with the one they loved most. Both women acknowledge that they are the ones that “do not forget” and that they are “wounded most of all”. When Telemachus talked to his mother, it was evident that certain roles were expected of her. She was to keep busy with the loom doing “women’s work”. This work allows the mind to wander and feelings build as Anne suggested. These passages seem to suggest that it is the role that women play that leads them to have such a strong connection to the ones they are in love with. Both women express that time has not healed their wounds. They cannot and will not forget about the ones they kept dear. Anne and Penelope are both talking to men while the men they are talking about are not present.
I came across this parallel on accident. I was surprised at how both women were speaking on behalf of the men that they loved, and how they never stopped loving them. The passages suggest that a woman does not forget even though she has not seen the face of her lover for a long time. Both women’s feelings have not died, but rather stayed very much alive. Though Penelope was more outspoken about it, both women waited patiently for the men they adored. Realizing this parallel does enrich both texts. Both women have strong character, but seeing their patience, strength, and stubborn attitudes only lets me appreciate their vulnerabilities. Holding onto hope and love for that long could be seen as prideful. Shouldn’t they be able to move on? Shouldn’t they be strong enough to find a new happiness? Then I realize that these women are stronger because they waited and because they held onto something worth waiting for. Holding onto hope can be easily seen as weak, but it is hope that moves us forward. Having hope does not mean that a person cannot let go; it means they have the courage to remember all that was good. It is up to the people to maintain this important ecosystem. Though the Odyssey and Persuasion are very different stories, some character traits and feeling remain the same. This makes the people relatable with real human characteristics.
I found a parallel between Persuasion and Esther. On page 156 in Persuasion, Mrs. Smith and Anne are talking after the concert that they just went to with the big group. Mrs. Smith thinks that Anne was interested in Mr. Elliot the whole time and that is who she is talking about but Anne is talking about Captain Wentworth. They carry on a little conversation about 2 different people, thinking they’re both thinking of the same one. This misunderstanding reminds me of the misunderstanding between Haman and King Xerxes in Esther. When King Xerxes can’t sleep, calls for someone to read the book of records, wants to honor Mordecai, and calls Haman in for advice about how to honor this “mystery person.” Haman thinks the king is being cute or funny or something and thinks that they are talking about him. However, the king is talking about Mordecai. In both situations, the shock that follows in each character (except King Xerxes, I guess) is pretty comical. I took me a long time to think of a parallel between any of the books and when I finally thought of this one, it almost made me laugh. I think both of these little scenes do enrich the story. Not in a huge, deep way or anything but they’re just fun add-ins that keep the story interesting and moving. They are actually both pretty important scenes amidst their comedy. With the scene from Persuasion, I feel like that’s Anne’s deciding moment when she totally admits to herself and to another person that she doesn’t ever want to marry Mr. Elliot. That lets us as readers move on from thinking anything about Mr. Elliot and Anne maybe getting together. It definitely took a weight off my shoulder. I was totally rooting for Anne and Wentworth and so when Mr. Elliot officially got the boot, I was very happy. Then with the scene in Esther, Haman finally realizes that he’s not as on top of everything as he wants to be. He realizes that he doesn’t have the king wrapped around his finger anymore. The focus and honor at that point switches to Mordecai who is the anchor of the story.
ReplyDeleteOn page 142 in Persuasion, Anne’s feelings upon seeing Wentworth are described as “agitation, pain, pleasure, a something between delight and misery.” This quote reminded me of and parallels the quote in Out of The Silent Planet where Ransom First sees Hyoi. On page 57 it says, “indescribable thrill of mingled attraction and repulsion ran through him.” In both of these instances, the characters in the novels are feeling opposite emotions about another character.
ReplyDeleteIn the passage with Ransom and Hyoi, Ransom is both revolted and interested in Hyoi at the same time. While Anne in Persuasion is encountering a very different situation, her reactions to being close to Wentworth are similar in the sense that they are experiencing both positive and negative emotions. Upon first reading the quote in Persuasion, I did not think of Out of The Silent Planet whatsoever. Looking back at this situation, the instances resemble one another greatly.
In Out of the Silent Planet, Ransom is seeing a completely different creature than he has ever seen before. If he thinks about the situation one way, he is revolted. If he thinks about the situation in another way he is intrigued. In Persuasion, Anne was not surprised to see Wentworth as Ransom was to see Hyoi because she had spotted Wentworth previously. It was the effects of her seeing his surprise at running into her that added to her emotions. Though she was ready to see him, the fact of being around him after such a long separation brought upon a mixture of emotions, just like Ransom felt upon meeting a Hross.
The fact that I found this parallel between the texts was very surprising to me. It is amazing how while both Anne and Ransom are living in totally different worlds (Literally!), they can be experiencing the same kinds of emotions. Not only are they in different places, but drastically different situations. Ransom, being in a foreign land was trying to survive on his own and encountering new things while Anne was in a very common situation with her family in her home of England.
While reading Persuasion, I noticed a parallel between Lady Russell and Athena from The Odyssey. Both characters take up paternal and maternal roles for Anne Elliot and Telemachus. I first noticed the similarities when I read this line from Persuasion. “To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued god-daughter, favourite and friend. Lady Russell loved them all; but it as only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again” (page 11). I found this statement by the narrator similar to the conversation between Athena and Telemachus. “You must not cling to your boyhood any longer, it’s time you were a man.” Telemachus replies later on the same page to Athena, “You’ve counseled me with so much kindness now, like a father to a son” (page 87).
ReplyDeleteLady Russell finds a lot of Anne’s mother’s personality in Anne. At the same time, Athena sees a lot of Odysseus’s personality in Telemachus. Through out Persuasion, Lady Russell counsels and guides Anne. Athena follows Telemachus through out his entire journey and makes sure he makes it back to Ithaca safely.
I think it is safe to say that a role of a paternal source for a hero in a narrative is expected, especially when that hero has lost its paternal source. The hero (and I find it safe to say that Telemachus is a hero in his own rights) always needs a counselor or form of guidance to help him make his decisions. This is a stock character in a narrative, and it does not surprise me that two very different stories like The Odyssey and Persuasion have similar character traits.
There is one parallel that I find particularly interesting between The Odyssey and Persuasion. The main female heroine in each novel is smart and cunning in her ways of staying close and loyal with the true love of their lives. In The Odyssey Penelope is married to Odysseus and she is determined to stay true to him throughout the novel. Although there is a physical distance between the two lovers Penelope’s cunning shows us a type of love that seems to never be unbroken despite any trials and tribulations. The two main examples shown by Penelope are in Books 19 and 21. In Book 19, Penelope describes the cunning she used to put off her suitors a bit longer by weaving a tapestry by day and then unweaving the work she completed by night. In Book 21, Penelope sets a challenge for the suitors that also demonstrate her cunning and intelligence. The challenge is one in which it is impossible to complete unless you are Odysseus himself or possibly his son.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, Anne from Persuasion also demonstrates her own cunning. Her style of cunning is a more subtle demonstration than that shown by Penelope but it is effective nonetheless. The main example that I found of Anne’s cunning to be close to her true love is in the concert scene on page 153. Here Anne and Wentworth are attending a concert and despite chatting beforehand, they cannot catch each other’s eyes. Anne desperately wants another interaction between her and Frederick so as to verify his feelings for her after eight and a half long years apart. Wentworth sees a rival, Mr. Elliot chatting with Anne during intermission however and becomes jealous. Once Anne’s companions leave during the intermission, she believes that this is the time in which Wentworth will come again to talk. When he does not do so Anne has the cunning and the intelligence to maneuver her way through her returning companions and make her seat at the end of the bench so as to grab Frederick Wentworth’s attention when he is on his way out. It is subtle yes but beautifully written and adds a sense of suspense to the novel.
Both of these women demonstrate their own style of cunning whether it is subtly or not. They develop this cunning and perform these actions so as to maintain that undying love and connection between them and their true loves.
“Had she [Anne] not imagined herself consulting his good, even more than her own, she could hardly have given him up.” (Pg. 28)
ReplyDeleteIn this quote the reader discovers that Anne was only able to break off the engagement with Captain Wentworth because she believed it was what was best for him. If she did not firmly believe that she never would have been able to live without him and their relationship.
In Out of the Silent Planet, Weston firmly believes that sacrificing Ransom for the advancement of the human race is the right thing to do. I don’t think that if he didn’t believe that it was absolutely necessary he wouldn’t have tried to do so.
While Anne sacrificed her relationship for the bettering of Captain Wentworth’s life and Weston was willing to sacrifice Ransom’s life for the bettering of the future of mankind, I don’t think either of these decisions could have been made and lived with if both parties weren’t certain that what they were doing was right. It’s was extremely difficult for Anne to live with losing the man she loved. While Weston can be easily perceived as a character that cares for no one but himself, I think it would have been difficult for him to live with the death of Ransom after it happened and he realized what the people of Malacandra were really about.
** Mrs. Kirgiss- I obviously worked out the problem I was having with not getting my comments to post. I will post last weeks blog when I get to my home computer where the blog is saved.
In Persuasion, the primary male character is Captain Wentworth, while Anne Elliot is certainly the main character. His journey throughout the story is one of love, heartbreak followed by an escape from the situation, a return to love, and finally returning to battle. This sequence of events is parallels that of Odysseus. Despite the drastic differences of setting, these two military men travel a similar route throughout their respective tales.
ReplyDeleteIn both cases, the two men have fallen in love with their women as prior knowledge to the story. Odysseus has married Penelope and all is well in Ithaca. Wentworth is engaged to a beautiful Anne Elliot as it states in chapter 4 “They were gradually acquainted and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love” and later “…involve herself at nineteen in an engagement.” However, both men are removed from the woman that they love. Odysseus is called to battle by the great Trojan War, while Captain Wentworth’s engagement is ended by Anne, though she was influenced by Lady Russell. Also in chapter 4, the Austen writes “She was persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing – indiscreet, improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it.”From there, the two men go out to sea but for very different reasons. Odysseus is trying to sail home, but cannot due to the interference from Poseidon. Captain Wentworth on the other hand is fulfilling his duty as an officer in the Royal Navy. Both men return from their respective absences, as Captain Wentworth visits his sister, Mrs. Croft, who along with her husband, rentKellynch. “Captain Wentworth and Anne were repeatedly in the same circle” (Chapter 8), but the relationship was obviously damaged and required much repair. He eventually wins her back after the eight years of separation, which is punctuated by the beautiful letter he writes to Anne in chapter 11 of volume 2. The book closes with Anne going out sea to live with Captain Wentworth, much like Admiral and Mrs. Croft. As it says in the last sentence of the story, “She gloried in being a sailor’s wife…” this shows that she does truly love him.Likewise, Odysseus returns to Ithaca but is not ushered back into his palace with the reverence deserving a king. Rather, he must plot and scheme his way back into palace and then slays the suitors. After this, his authority as king of Ithaca is restored and he is reunited with Penelope after his twenty year journey. But following this, Odysseus must put down the turmoil caused by the families of the slain suitors (p 484) just as Captain Wentworth must return to his military service after the escape of Napoleon Bonaparte and the war that resulted.
These two men are very different characters to say the least. Odysseus has several character flaws which delay his return home. Captain Wentworth is a more steady and likable character. But despite the differences between these men, their journeys are remarkably parallel to one another. They both endure long separations from the woman they love, but are ultimately brought back together with them just before having to go off into another fight.
The first full paragraph on page 189 in Persuasion has Captain Harville crying, ‘if I could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a last look at his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them off in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, “God knows whether we ever meet again!”’ He goes on to speak “only of such men as have hearts.” This particular passage can be compared to Odysseus’s last words to Penelope before he sets sail for Troy. “Dear woman …I cannot tell if the gods will sail me home again or I’ll go down out there, on the fields of Troy, but all things here must rest in your control. Watch over my father and mother in the palace, just as now, or perhaps a little more, when I am far from home. But once you see the beard on the boy’s cheek, you wed the man you like, and leave your house behind” (Book 18).
ReplyDeleteBoth passages are about men leaving their loved ones behind, and venturing out into the world, unable to predict the future. Captain Harville’s message provides an insight to Odysseus’s feelings in his speech to Penelope. While Odysseus says he wants his wife to remarry, we know from Captain Harville’s speech that the king is only “pretending to deceive himself,” while still hoping and praying to see his loved ones again. Harville’s line “If I could explain to you … all that a man can bear and do, and glories to do for the sake of these treasures of his existence” pertains to both his toils as a naval officer, and Odysseus’s adventures as King of Ithaca. Each man battles obstacles, whether they are the French or the Cyclops, in the hopes of glory and treasure to keep his loved ones safe and happy.
This parallel enriches both of the texts, by showing us an exclusive view of men’s inner thoughts and feelings. Soldiers and warriors are often perceived as harsh, unforgiving, and hard-hearted. However, the link between these two passages proves that these seemingly impenetrable men are actually lonely and homesick for their families. The fact that these similar moments are in such diverse texts shows the sensitivity of men throughout the ages.
Homer's The Odyssey and Jane Austen's Persuasion have some surprising similarities. Anne Elliot, the definitive hero of Persuasion, and Odysseus are both kept by external forces from achieving or sustaining domestic bliss. (It is understood that Anne may have had the choice to wed Frederick Wentworth, but I think otherwise; and, besides, that is not what happened.) Anne thinks back longingly for her her home:
ReplyDelete“...[A]nd now Anne's heart must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all the precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to other's eyes and other limbs!” (43).
Missed opportunities haunt her; longing for the past keeps her from seizing a future. Anne does not have adventures in the strictest sense of the word, but she does have experiences that change her perception, strengthen her will, and realize past mistakes. She takes necessary action to regain what she has lost. She claims Captain Wentworth for herself right before it is too late. Domestic bliss is restored.
Odysseus is in much the same predicament:
“Off he sat on a headland, weeping there as always/
wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish/
gazing out over the barren sea through blinding tears” (5.93-95).
The reader knows that Odysseus is blubbering by the sea because he, like Anne, can't seem to find his way home. Other people are touching his things, voraciously expending his livestock, and trying to court his wife. Worse yet, I think, is that Anne and Odysseus know things will never be the same at home as when they left. Odysseus returns home just in to time restore his household and regain his goods and chattels before they are all consumed or his wife has to pick a suitor.
In the beginning of chapter eight it is described, “Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the same circle. They were soon dining in company together at Mr. Musgrove’s” (pg. 55). I feel that this relates to Ransom and Hyoi in “Out of the Silent Planet” after they meet and begin to spend time with each other. In Out of Silent Planet Ransom is talking to a Hrossa and it is said, “You are hnau. I am hnau. The seroni are hnau. The pfifltriggi are hnau” (Ch. 11 pg. 69). I feel that the word “hnau” being used to describe humans, hrossa, seroni, and pfiftriggi all are similar to each other in a certain way. All of these creatures being related puts them in the same “circle of life,” relating them to each other. When you relate “Persuasion and “Out of the Silent Planet” together with the concept of a “circle” it means that all of them indirectly are experiencing a feeling of being the same with the individuals they are surrounded with amongst them. Anne is surrounded and is similar to Captain Wentworth and Ransom is in a circle of similarity with the creatures on Malacandra. Ransom is also connects among the creatures of Malacandra when Ransom begins to translate to Oyrasa about what Weston and Devine are saying. (Ch. 20, Pg. 134). Even though he is human like Ransom and Devine he is able to translate and talk to Oyrasa because he has become one of them. In this case he is connected to both of them. This also relates to Anne and Captain Wentworth. Even though they haven’t been together for eight years they still feel a deep love for each other and are still able to function within their own societies. Drawing parallels that even though they are not the same creature or in the same society they can still relate to each other.
ReplyDeleteThis does not surprise me that there are similarities made with comparisons in “Persuasion” or a universal word in “Out of the Silent Planet.” I feel that everything relates to each other indirectly in our world and that some way or another we have something in common with others around us even though it may not seem like we do. Captain Wentworth and Anne being put in the same circle they have multiple things in common including the fact that they were once engaged for each other and have hidden feelings beside the person that they originally show to each other. In “Out of the Silent Planet,” Ransom holds may similarities to the creatures on Malacandra like the fact that we all speak a language and live certain ways of life that interact with each other. In a way, even though these stories take place during two different time eras and two completely different places you are able to connect the parallels between the characters.
Here in Persuasion, Jane Austen writes, “No, no, it is not man’s nature, I will not allow it to be more man’s nature than woman’s to be inconstant and forget those they do love, or have loved. I believe the reverse. I believe in a true analogy between our bodily frames and our mental, and that as our bodies are the strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage, and riding out the heaviest weather” (vol.II,p167). The moment is of some telepathy, it could be that, what most people feel and that is of mature content. To compare this to C.S. Lewis, a great Sci-fi author leaves room for a lot in between. He said, “Such a journey would have been impossible on earth; the first quarter of an hour would have reduced a man of Ransom’s build and age to exhaustion. Here he was at first delighted with the ease of his movement, and then staggered by the gradient and length of the climb which, even under Malacandrian conditions, soon bowed his back and gave him an arching chest and trembling knees. But this was not the worst”(chap.14,p88). In comparing the two of these moments or phrases, on the one hand you have an author, Jane Austen who is writing about the upperclass civil life in the 1800’s- mid-1800’s, how simple it must have been then. On the other you have C.S. Lewis, more than a century later writing Sci-fi, in my book is far more fetched then classic fiction, just putting down his thoughts and irrelevant excuses into literature. He said, on earth it would have been impossible, then starting off with such ease (on Malacandria), to staggered- bowed his back, to an arching chest and trembling knees, oh and this was not the worst. Jane Austen states, it is not man’s nature, I will not allow it to be more man’s, and forget having loved, I believe the reverse, ”reverse what?”, then she said she believes in true analogy (our god given gift), “I can buy that.”, and that as our bodies are the strongest so are our feelings, not very likely. This next part is sort of like the beat that C.S. Lewis writes with, capable of bearing most rough usage, and riding out the heaviest weather. The royal treatment that C.S. Lewis gives Ransom was just like that. This is enriching in both the texts, the also relevant fact of what is noticed in the styles, Jane Austen is a stop and think writer, C.S. Lewis is a more look at my picture, and one author being female and the other male might have a degree of variance to what is said and how.
ReplyDeleteOn page 166, Mrs. Smith makes a comment to Anne regarding Mr. Elliot that says, “He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir William. You may guess therefore that the news he heard from his friend, could not be very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced; the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and for fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his former acquaintance and recovering such a footing in the family, as might give him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of circumventing the lady if he found it material.” A few sentences later she also says that Mr. Elliot’s intentions were to watch Sir Walter Elliot and Mrs. Clay to make sure she wouldn’t disrupt his plans. This statement reveals Mr. Elliot’s true motives for coming back into the family. He wasn’t genuine and sincere, wanting to be a part of them and truly love Anne. In contrast, he was doing it for the inheritance he would receive of Kellynch Hall, including the fame and the money that entailed and having the title Sir William Elliot. When Mr. Elliot realizes the greatness of the inheritance, he takes action to make it happen, though it’s with false motives and secrecy. Mrs. Clay knew what he was doing as they were seen by Mary and Anne talking outside the concert, but everyone else was left in the dark. I saw the same to be similar with Weston in Out of the Silent Planet. Weston’s motive in going to Malacandra several times and eventually taking Ransom was to eventually take over and keep humanity alive forever on Malacandra. He also involves secrecy in his plans and actions with Devine being the only other person who has any knowledge of the plans. The root of both of their actions were the desire and drive for control. Mr. Elliot wanted the control and power of reigning and owning the estate of Kellynch Hall just as Weston was seeking the control of humanity essentially. Weston had knowledge that was beyond normal cognitive abilities, and that led to arrogance, focus on self, and to seek the control of handling life on his own. Their lives revolved purely around themselves and their own desires. Mr. Elliot had the family name and status to boost him up in arrogance and greed. Both led lives focused on obtaining control to some extent and having a plan in mind and going with it; this lifestyle left Mr. Elliot and Weston without true happiness and contentment because they couldn’t settle for anything less. The parallel of these two characters does not really surprise me because I think it’s a common occurrence for people to get full of themselves and selfishly desire more of whatever they want and control that they shouldn’t have, especially for a character like that to be in books. There’s always someone who has impure motives and makes you uneasy and annoyed as you engage in reading the text. Even though it leaves me with these feelings and emotions towards the two characters, I think it does enrich the text of both though because it adds a little twist to the books and uncertainty of whether their plans will succeed or not. It adds a component of reading and enjoyment from reading that wouldn’t be there if those types of characters didn’t exist.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of Out Of the Silent Planet, while Ransom is in the space ship headed to Malacandra, he overhears Weston and Devine talking about their arrival and how Ransom will be handed over to the scorns as their prisoner, upon landing. Because Ransom eavesdropped on this conversation he declared, “Starvation, or even to be chased by scorns, would be better than being handed over” (37). This statement a result of him overhearing Divine and Weston’s conversation set the stage for his long journey on Malacandra. In Persuasion we see one significant instance of eavesdropping which is arguably, gives Wentworth the push he needs to once again pursue Anne. While Anne is conversing with Captain Harville by the window at White Hart, their topic being love and commitment, Wentworth eavesdrops from not far away in the same room. During this conversation Anne made the following assertion about women in love, “we certainly do not forget you, so soon as you forget us” (187). This seems to almost directly relate to Anne still in love with Wentworth and it expresses her feelings that she may believe he has forgotten the love which they shared. As a result of Wentworth hearing Anne speak on the topic he wrote her a letter, confessing his undying love for her. Just is in Out Of the Silent Planet this leads to a pivotal point in the story, the renewal of their relationship and an engagement which soon followed. These two novels differ in many ways but eavesdropping plays a vital role in the development of the story in both. Without Ransom overhearing the conversation between Weston and Devine, there would have been no story line, or at least not the one that is so sought after in the literary world. In Persuasion the instance of Wentworth overhearing Anne talk about a long lasting love, leads to the happily ever after ending that the readers long for throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteIn the Odyssey, from every time I have read it one of the first things I always tend to notice is the introduction of Odysseus. In the beginning of the book, we are shown many previews of Odysseus, of his epic travels, his work (“No one, no Achaean labored hard as Odysseus labored or achieved so much” (4. 119-120)) and of how “every god took pity” (1. 22) on the great king for not being able to return home. Then we actually meet Odysseus, “weeping there as always, wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish, gazing out over the barren sea through blinding tears.” (5. 93-95). The first time I read this story, I was truly let down, believing I was going to be in for more of a treat meeting this great and triumphant hero, and then we get to him and he is appears to be a weak sobbing man with no hope.
ReplyDeleteNow I wouldn’t say this is exactly the case with Anne in Persuasion, but I feel they are very similar. In the beginning, we hear mostly about Sir Walter Elliot and his whole family. A great, wealthy, and prestigious family, and also in the first chapter we hear about his daughters. First of Elizabeth, who “had succeeded, at sixteen, to all that was possible” (Ch 1. P 11), then of his two other daughters of “very inferior value” (Ch 1. P 11). But despite this description, it is said that Anne has “an elegance of mind and a sweetness of character, which must have placer her high with any people of real understanding” (Ch 1. P 11). This, along with the fact of knowing the book was about her, actually made me anxious to meet her and see what she was really like aside from descriptions. And along with this, the great Lady Russell even “did, what nobody else thought of doing, she consulted Anne” (Ch 2. P16) which to me personally gave her a much higher standing, seeing as Lady Russell seemed like a character held in very high esteem. But then we finally meet Anne, get to hear her talk, and even in a sort of dramatic sentence leading up to right before it (“Here Anne spoke,-” (Ch 3. P 21)). And then she says absolutely nothing of interest besides agreeing with Mr. Shepherd. I feel that first impressions are very important, which is why I felt the same after meeting Odysseus and after meeting Anne, which is also why I’m not a great fan of either. When I met Anne is when I lost most of my interest in the story, because even though I’m not sure how I personally would have done it, I feel that the main character should have been brought up in a much better way. Not necessarily more exciting, just simply more meaningful somehow; she’s the main character! Like I said, this personally made me care a lot less about Anne, and although I can agree that the story itself is written very well, and that it’s not even that bad of a story, I simply cannot stand it for the fact of the characters.
Twice we have seen speech portrayed as an implication of maturity and social status. In Homer’s the Odyssey, Telemachus’ speech allows us to watch as he matures and becomes a man. Throughout the poem, he becomes more and more sure of himself in his speech as he grows further into a man. In Persuasion by Jane Austen, we are unable to watch Anne Elliot grow through her speech as she is already quite sure of herself; however, he speech and the way it is described affords us an insight into her character. On page 35, “Anne said what was proper…” noting that, though she may not want or desire the interaction with her more-than-a-touch whiny sister Mary, she is well versed enough in social constructs to know how to handle oneself in a polite conversation. Throughout the book, more such instances occur; however, Anne at one point, does become rather emotional in her speech. While visiting with the Musgroves in Bath, Charles makes plans for the party to go to a play, a play which happens to fall on the same night as a dinner party where introductions to the Dalrymples are to be made. Anne, expressing her wishes not to attend has, what for herself is, an outburst. Austen notes that Anne “trembled when it was done, conscious that her words were listened to and daring not even to observe their effect” (181). Anne knows that she has crossed a social boundary and is not quite sure how to handle herself. Her break of character obviously shakes her.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that tone and quality affect how one is perceived is rather an interesting observation. Allowing that authors are charged with the task of casing human behavior and accurately portraying the human race, it is intriguing to find the same idea in two texts so widely spread apart by time. Two very different texts, two very different times, yet the same social concepts. Perhaps, there is a truth behind speech. After all, with politics in the modern world, half the race is about which candidate has the most charisma, which can most easily charm the public. Sure, we claim to pay attention to their platforms and their beliefs, but at the end of the day, is it not about who gave the better speech? Politicians know this. They are trained in how to speak to people. Their every word is carefully calculated; their speeches are written out for them. Consider Hitler: a man who, inarguably, is one of the cruelest leaders of time, murdering the masses to promote his own elitist views. However, at the time of his rein, the German people were in love with him. His charisma was phenomenal.
To speak a word and have the world bow at your feet would be the goal of most, and I think that this idea has been noted well by authors of all types. If what one says and how one says it were not important, there would not be half so many words in our language to describe it. One can whisper, speak, say, shout, yell; say angrily, shortly, cryptically; speak loudly, softly, shyly. One action, a thousand ways to perform it. The fact that writers have latched onto this idea is far from astonishing. Homer and Austen portray it very well in each of their texts. It is something to pay attention to in any situation to say the least: whether you are reading or watching the news. There is a reason the world has speech pathologists and speech therapists. The way we say things is crucial in society.
There are many moments in Persuasion that could be compared with moments from any of our other readings. One comparison of character that stuck out the most to me is between Anne and Telemachus. Both of these characters are belittled and ignored by the people around them. While in Anne’s instance it is by her family and family friends, Telemachus is not respected by the suitors that have taken over his family’s home. A specific moment is found at the beginning of Persuasion when the readers are learning about each different character. Anne is described as a “nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight; her convenience was always to give way; - she was only Anne” (11). With this description we know early on Anne is a character that has always taken the back seat to those around her. While she has intelligent thoughts, ideas, and opinions of her own, they are never listened to or taken seriously. Telemachus is treated in a similar fashion when he finally attempts to take back his family’s land from the awful suitors. His attempts are met with laughter, mocking, and the comments that he would never be capable of being King. These moments being parallel to one another is not altogether surprising. This element of character is seen in a number of different stories, so the fact that it is found in both Persuasion and The Odyssey is not shocking. While this type of character is similar, the context in which they are found can be quite unique. Clearly, the settings of both stories are completely different and the environments in which these characters are found in are as well. However, the emotions these characters feel can be said to be similar across the board.
ReplyDeleteA foundation of our knowledge of Sir Walter Elliot comes within the first lines of the novel as he reads through the Baronetage. From then on the reader continues to see how much emphasis Sir Walter puts on the importance of someone by just their name. This is seen again as Sir Walter refuses to let his house be let to just any normal person. This importance of names shows itself again as Mary is dissatisfied at the idea of Henrietta marrying “nothing but a country curate” (65). Someone who is so closely related must marry to another that holds a name higher than that of a curate. When the Elliot’s are in Bath they show once again how high they place a name over the person themselves. The Croft’s are known to be delightful, mannered people they are left to “find their own people” (135) rather than seem to be associated with the Elliot’s. In contrast, Lady Dalrymple is more than welcome, if not sought out, as a companion not for her characteristics, but for her name and the power it holds. With all of this importance being place on a name there are similarities that can be seen in Persuasion and The Odyssey. Several times the people who know Odysseus before he left refer to how his name would be remembered in a more positive manner if he would have been cut down in battle, instead of lost at sea. Even as people are introduced to the story there is almost always a long trail of whom they are related to show their importance in the world. Telemachus is welcomed into many of the greater leader’s halls and given gifts simply because he is known as Odysseus’ son. Those without names are quickly forgotten. Of all the men Odysseus slaughtered there is only rebellion when he rightfully kills Antinous, a powerful prince of Ithaca. Clearly, in both of these stories characters will either associate with, or even praise people that they do not know simply on a name. This level of relying on names provides a great launching point of establishing an idea within the reader on how they are going to perceive a certain character, and without this name-game we would not view Sir Walter as so shallow or Odysseus as so important.
ReplyDeleteBetween the two texts I noticed a parallel between the noble Captain Wentworth and Odysseus, when coming back (home) from a long journey. I say (home) because Wentworth's return is not technically back to his “home,” but he returns to where the love of his life, Anne Elliott is. Odysseus returns to his actual home, and to his wife who has stayed true to him for a multitude of years. In both of the texts the obvious route, which is to bust down the door and yell “I'm finally home and I missed you and I love you so much!!” is not the route which is taken. Odysseus hesitates for many days before revealing to his wife that he has returned for her and would like her back. Likewise, in Persuasion, Captain Wentworth delays his declaration of devotion to Anne for an amount of time that frustrates both Anne and the reader. In Wentworth's letter (which is in the last 10 pages of the book, which I discuss later) he says “I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You along have brought me to Bath. For you alone I think and plan.” (pg. 191) It is this part in the book where we learn Wentworth's intentions were to court Anne all along, which is why he returned to where she was. These two situations compare because both characters are delaying due to the skepticism of their significant other still being devoted to them, and this delay creates the “beef” or “substance” of both of the novels, without it there would be no story to write about.
ReplyDeleteFirstly in The Odyssey, Odysseus is extremely hesitant to let his wife know he has arrived back home. This is due to a warning from Agamemnon who was killed by his wife when he arrived home. This isn't parallel to Persuasion, but the whole idea of Odysseus' thinking of “Will she still be devoted to me when I arrive home?” is extremely parallel and applicable to both the situations. Odysseus waits until all the suitors have been slaughtered, and reveals who he is to his wife. She says “But now, since you have revealed such overwhelming proof--... you've conquered my heart, my hard heart, at last!” (book 23 lines 253-257) Also imagine where the narrative would have gone if Odysseus arrived home and says to Penelope right after his arrival to Ithaca “I'm home honey don't worry you need cry no more.” There would be no second half of the book! This part of the story is necessary for the narrative to carry on, continue to have a problem and drag the reader along thinking what's next?
Compared to Persuasion, these ideas are very similar. Captain Wentworth arrives home, and we as the reader know that Anne and Captain Wentworth will end up together, but it doesn't happen until the last 5% of the story. The first rendezvous between these two is unexpected and ends up with the outcome of Wentworth's thinking of Anne “You were so altered he should not have known you again.” (pg 53) This is a direct parallel to Penelope not recognizing his husband although he is in the same room as she is. Also both Captain Wentworth and Odysseus leave their significant other to travel the seas and be at war; Odysseus to battle Troy on a wooden boat, and Wentworth leaves to be in the Navy on a naval ship. Correspondingly imagine if Wentworth arrived back from the Navy and the first thing he did was find Anne Elliott and proclaim his love to her. The book would end before the second volume was even written! Both stories thrive off of this idea that the desirable male character must postpone their confession of love for the desired female character.
Throughout Jane Austen’s Persuasion there is an overtone of a much awaited hope for many characters. This feeling of hope plunges the reader to the end of the book, where hope of a life with a loved one is found at last for Anne as well as Wentworth. In a very similar yet different way, C.S. Lewis eludes to hope for the human race, sought through his main character Ransom by the end of his journey to Malacandra. However, in this case, the hope of a bent race becoming a race focused on living peacefully with others leaves the reader thirsting for more instead of fully satisfied with the outcome.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most important instances where a feeling and mention of hope is present comes not from Anne, but from Wentworth in his letter to Anne. "I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever…” are the first words Anne reads in her letter from Wentworth (23. ). Here he references the so ever present yet fading hope he has for he and Anne’s future together in the form of his ‘half hope’. After all this time he has this burning flame of hope within him, and now waits in anticipation after writing the letter to see if Anne will reciprocate these feelings. He mentions ‘such precious feelings’ as well, referring to his feeling of love for Anne and also the hopeful sentiments he has held onto for so long.
C.S. Lewis uses the peaceful relationships between life forms on the planet Malacandra to demonstrate the possibility of Thulcandra one day emulating that same peaceful way of life. In Out of the Silent Planet, the peaceful ways of life are discussed by Hyoi and Ransom as Ransom tries to understand why no one on Malacandra fight to kill each other, at least no rational species. Ransom doesn’t understand why there are no such wars on Malacandra as there are on Earth, and he tries to question Hyoi about this matter using the example of wanting the same food as someone else. Hyoi simply replies, “If the other hnau wanted food, why should we not give it to them? We often do.” (12.73) Seeing and hearing about these peaceful interactions give Ransom a hope that a non-violent way of life is attainable. At the end of Ransom’s time on Malacandra and after speaking to Oyarsa, he has chosen to go back to Earth to help keep the ‘bent’ ones from causing harm to the people on Earth. The reader is left with this hope that Ransom will be able to take this peaceable living back to Earth. “Love of our own kind,” he said, “is not the greatest of laws, but you, Oyarsa, have said it is a law…” (21.141) For this reason, Ransom chooses to go back to Earth and transform it into a peaceful place instead of remaining a resident of Malacandra like he was offered.
To me, both of these books have an important element of hope within the character emotions such as the interactions between Anne and Wentworth or within the events of the story such as the examples of peaceable living demonstrated by the hnau on the planet Malacandra. The conclusions of this hope, however, end much differently in both books. Persuasion, completes this ‘half hope’, which is depicted so beautifully throughout the story as Anne and Wentworth both secretly hold onto it, with Wentworth’s letter professing this hope and his love for Anne that still remains after 8 years. Out of the Silent Planet, on the other hand, leaves the reader wanting more as the hope of a peaceful Earth has yet to be implemented by Ransom at the concluding remarks of the story. In both cases, the authors use this quality of hope to engage the reader and pull them through the difficult parts of the book to happen upon the great outcome. While Out of the Silent Planet kept me wanting something more, it’s important to note that this is only book one of the space trilogy, which if read in its’ entirety, could leave me more fulfilled.
Upon first arriving to Lyme, the narrator provides a lush description of the city’s “charms”. Following the extended delineation, Austen claims, “these places must be visited, and visited again, to make the worth of Lyme understood” (pg 81). This viewpoint very closely resembles the narration in Out of the Silent Planet, which asserts, “you cannot see things till you roughly know what they are” (pg 43). In both instances, characters experience a completely foreign environment and are intrigued by the beauty it radiates. Despite the difference in degree of unfamiliarity, one character visiting a new planet and the other a new city, both instances indicate the inability to fully comprehend the allure of unknown surroundings upon first impression; true elegance can only be understood through proper acquaintance.
ReplyDeleteThe presence of parallel concepts in such diverse texts bolsters the significance of the idea. Because Persuasion and Out of the Silent Planet were written in different centuries, there is reason to believe that Austen and Lewis’s perspective on adequate perception is one that has been commonly withheld over an extended period of time. In both novels, the characters are awed by the landscape because it contrasts the environments they are familiar with. It is this uniqueness that is often falsely interpreted as beauty. Rather, Austen and Lewis suggest that true beauty lies within an understanding of the surroundings; one forfeits the ability to perfectly appreciate aesthetic scenery when viewing it from a comparative standpoint. Austen and Lewis incorporate this concept into each of their books to enrich scene description. This influences the reader to formulate an impression that the setting is so beautiful it cannot be properly perceived at first sight, let alone adequately be put into words.
Lastly, both authors manifest their scene descriptions in a strikingly similar manner, focusing primarily on color, rock, water, and vegetation. For example, the accounts, “pale pink, almost of white…granulated rock” (OSP, pg 42) and “with its green chasms between romantic rocks” (Persuasion, pg 81) parallel each other. Because the authors adopt such a similar approach, one may infer that humans are initially most aware of these components when experiencing a foreign environment.
A parallel that I found between Persuasion and Out of the Silent Planet was the continuing occurrence and importance of walking. In both of these books, the characters are constantly walking around, not because they have to but because they want to. In Out of the Silent Planet Ransom is usually alone, commenting and observing the atmosphere around him. Ransom also enjoys learning more about Malacandra on his walks, even if he is educating himself. In Persuasion, walking is usually, if not always, done with at least one other person. Just like Ransom, the characters often partake in some sort of learning while going on these walks, but instead of it being created by the individual it is usually information from someone besides themselves.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of Out of the Silent Planet, Lewis states how “the pedestrian wasted no time on the landscape but set at once,” creating the idea that Ransom had a set destination in mind and was determined to get there (Lewis 1). Quickly this idea changes and we learn that Ransom is walking around both commenting on and enjoying the scenery. We soon learn that he is actually on his vacation, showing that Ransoms sees walking as a freeing and enjoyable activity. Throughout the book Ransom is constantly taking walks and enjoying his surroundings. I believe that Ransom takes these walks as means to educate himself and actually free his mind. He enjoys this time alone and how he can simply surround himself with things he appreciates and finds remarkable. After living with the hross for an extended amount of time Ransom states how “the wonder of its smote him most strongly when he found himself…actually going for a walk” (Lewis 66). In the next line Ransom compares his favorite walks to his favorite foods, showing the direct correlation between how walking is something that he actually enjoys.
In Persuasion, Anne is constantly walking in an attempt to avoid learning about what is going on around her. Just like for Ransom, Anne enjoys walking because it entitles a sense of being free. When Admiral Croft and his wife come to see Kellynch-hall, Anne finds it “most natural to take her daily walk to Lady Russell’s, and keep out of the way till all was over” (Austen 31). Anne is directly avoiding the situation of a new, important family coming to inspect her house and decides to escape the situation entirely. Later on in the story, a group of six decides to go for a walk. Anne decides that, “her pleasure from this walk must arise from the exercise and the day,” that she would be enjoying the scenery and her own thoughts instead of the conversation with others. This is mostly because Captain Wentworth was a part of the group but, Anne is still trying to keep to herself during her walks. I believe the walks in Persuasion also include an important feature of the learning of one character about another. In most cases, the information tends to be about or relating to the relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth. Although Anne enjoys the privacy in her walks, she enjoys the gossip of Wentworth even more. The story advances through these walks in which each individual telling one another the gossip of the day.
Although the learning and nature of the walks that Ransom and Anne take in their stories are somewhat different I believe they both enhance in individual growth of the characters. Ransom’s walks are an essential factor because they help him do something that he loves, educate himself. With Anne, the conversations on these walks help rekindle the relationship that she and Captain Wentworth had before. Ultimately, the walks that both of these characters partake in heighten each individual as well as their relationship with their surroundings.
On two different occasions, Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth overhear one another in conversations that were indirectly talking about one another. The overhearing of the different conversations in Persuasion reminds me of Ransom in Out of the Silent Plant when he over hears Devine and Weston talking in the ship (Lewis p. 35-36). In this scene with Ransom, he is overhearing Devine and Weston talking about him and what will happen to him once they reach Malacandra. This heard conversation is an important part of Ransom’s first knowledge of where he is going. The two conversations in Persuasion are similar but have a slightly different means of importance.
ReplyDeleteThe first overheard conversation was between Louisa and Captain Wentworth. The two were having a conversation about the loyalty and firmness of family. At the end of Captain Wentworth’s “speech” he said, “My first with for all, whom I am interested in, is that they should be firm” (Austen p. 74). Without being said, we know that this is somewhat a statement about Anne. Later on in the conversation between Louisa and Wentworth, Fredrick was curious to hear about Charles and Anne. He asked a few questions that made me think, as a reader, that he still cares very much for Anne. I actually found myself laughing during this scene. The conversation that Anne overheard was significant because this was the first time she felt as though Wentworth did not hate her. “; she had heard no evil of herself,- but she had heard a great deal of very painful import. She saw how her own character was considered by Captain Wentworth and there had been just a degree of feeling and curiosity about her in his manner,” (Austen p. 75).
The second significant overheard conversation came in Volume II Chapter XI. The conversation was between Anne and Captain Harville and was over heard by Captain Wentworth. This conversation was similar to the conversation Anne heard earlier in the book. Anne and Captain Harville are talking about the sudden engagement of Louisa and Captain Benwick. Captain Harville could not believe that Benwick could forget his sister Fanny so quickly. He says that Fanny would have never forgotten Benwick so fast (Austen p. 187). Anne reacts by saying, “Yes. We certainly do not forget you as soon as you forget us” (Austen p. 187). This statement, although not said, is directed towards Wentworth. I found it moving when Fredrick dropped his pen and indicated that he was consumed by the overheard conversation. We know that Wentworth heard the conversation because it comes out in the letter he writes to Anne. All of the overheard conversations give the characters important insight into their future, their perspective, or themselves.
There are many similarities between Anne Elliot and Penelope from the Odyssey . The one quote that I can’t forget from Anne is “We certainly do not forget you, so soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us.”(p. 187) This quote tells us of Penelope. Several years have gone by for both these women before they are to see again their true loves. Over the years they have grieved over the men they lost. They really had nobody in their families to confide in. They linger on with the memories of their loves over a long period of time and figure it must be fate that has separated them and that they deserve to be with the one who makes them happy. I couldn’t imagine day after day suffering in silence over losing the men they truly love. The circumstances of the separations between Anne and Wentworth and Penelope and Oddyseus are completely different but the feelings are the same. I guess you could say Lady Russell could be similar to some of the gods in The Odyssey in keeping Anne and Wentworth away from each other but for different reasons. As Penelope has weaved many different reasons not to move on from Oddyseus is the same way Anne has herself weaved many different kinds of excuses not to move on from Wentworth. As we read more of both the books I feel when you really get to know the characters and the intentions of both women you grow to love the books. I did not like the beginnings of either book but at the end of each I have grown to love both books. I have a completely different outlook on both books and would never be afraid to read books from both authors.
ReplyDeleteThe Odyssey and Persuasion are both connected by the female characters in the novel that pine for their men who are away at war.
ReplyDeleteIn Jane Austen’s novel, Persuasion, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth met over the summer and fell in love. Anne’s friend and mother-like figure, Lady Russell did not think the marriage was a good match and so Lady Russell persuaded Anne to break off her engagement to Wentworth. Although over seven years had passed, Anne still hoped that Wentworth would return home from the war unharmed. “More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful interest had reached its close; and time had softened down much, perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too dependent on time alone; no aid had been given in change of place (except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture), or in any novelty or enlargement of society.” (1056) Even though so much time has passed, Anne has not stopped loving Wentworth. “She had only navy lists and newspapers for her authority, but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in favour of his constancy, she had no reason to believe him married.” (1056) This reminded me almost instantly of The Odyssey, and how Penelope waits desperately for any news of her husband.
In Homer’s, The Odyssey, Odysseus’s wife, Penelope has been waiting for her beloved husband to return home from the war for over twenty years. “How I long for my husband—alive in memory, always, that great man whose fame resounds through Hellas right to the depths of Argos! (1.393-397) Penelope really has no reason to believe that her husband is alive but that does not stop her from hoping to see him again.
In both novels, the female characters love for their men, no matter how different the circumstances are, the reason the novels are so relatable. Even though The Odyssey is much, much older than Persuasion both novels do a great job of letting readers relate to the uncertainty of war and if your loved ones will ever come back.
In Persuasion, Anne Elliott tends to be a character that gives into others. Even from the beginning, the most painful decision she made in her life, was due to the opinions and wishes of others. Lady Russell convinces Anne that Wentworth is not worthy enough for her when they are in love at 19 and break off the engagement. Because of her lack of conviction, she is forced to live years of unhappiness inside. I believe Anne would like to have a quiet life, where she can make her own decisions, away from those who try and control everything. This is shown during a party at which “Anne offered her services, as usual, and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed, and desired nothing in return to be unobserved” (62). Anne is around Wentworth during this party, but rather than makes moves and try to win him back, she stays in the background, unseen.
ReplyDeleteThis parallels the character of Ransom in Out of the Silent Planet. Ransom speaks of his walking tours and states the comparison that the “whole point about the army is that you are never alone for a moment and can never choose where you’re going or even what part of the road you’re walking on. On a walking-tour you are absolutely detached. You stop where you like and go on when you like. As long as it lasts you need consider no one and consult no one but yourself” (18). It shows here that like Anne, he prefers a quieter life, where others are not in the position to make decisions for him.
While these two moments show how Anne and Ransom would prefer more solitary lives, struggles arise because they do not stick to their own convictions. It takes 8 years before Anne gets her Captain Wentworth, years of pain that could have been avoided if she had stood her ground from the start. Then it would be a life of the two together, not Anne stuck single and answering to everyone she doesn’t want to be around. Ransom, on the other hand, Ransom has the freedom he enjoys going on walking tours. But similar to Anne, cannot say no to what is expected and tries to help the boy, getting himself kidnapped and fighting for survival and a way back to what makes him happy.
I wish for main characters that I would have seen more backbone. It’s hard to read about them as people who just give in and fight for nothing they want or need. It does not surprise me to find Anne and Ransom similar. They remind of people-pleasers, but worse because it so greatly affected their lives and years lost. I wanted them to just simply standing up once for what each wanted, even if it’s just to live a quiet life, it would have saved a lot of heartache and trouble.
Esther and Persuasion have a very similar connection when it comes to the importance of beauty. King Ahasuerus and Sir Walter Elliot both have similar views that beauty is very important. But Sir Walter Elliot thinks this to absolutely everything.
ReplyDeleteIn the second chapter of Esther we learn that all of the women that are to meet King Ahasuerus will undergo vigorous beauty treatments before the king will meet them individually. “Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to King Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)” (Chapter 2, Line 12). The chapter continues by saying that the women were allowed pick whatever clothing and jewelry they wanted to wear for the king. Beauty is a large component in finding a new wife.
I feel this reflects the same attitude Sir Walter Elliot had in Persuasion. “He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of baronetcy” (pg 10). Even when it comes to the appearance of men he has never met before, they must be handsome to have any connection with the Elliots. In Chapter 3, Sir Walter Elliot is discussing renting his home while the family goes to Bath. When a suggestion of allowing a man in the navy stay there, Sir Walter Elliot will not have it. “They are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen “(pg 22).
Both men have a very shallow view on beauty, in my opinion. Their actions and words of their thoughts on beauty proves it. King Ahasuerus looks at beauty as a determining factor in finding a new queen (after she has had 6 months of beauty treatment), while Sir Walter Elliot sees appearance in general a determining factor in any situation. The difference between the two men is that Sir Walter Elliot obsesses over appearances, whether his own or others’.
There are many comparisons that can be made between the novels Persuasion by Jane Austen and Homer’s The Odyssey, but there was one common theme that stood out to me during the reading and it is how for the both the main characters Anne and Odysseus, they have some outside person in the novel guiding their life course.
ReplyDeleteIn the Odyssey, Odysseus had Athena. She was a constant presence that played a big role in the course of his life because he would listen to her and make decisions based on what Athena guided him to do. If she had not been there telling him what to do or what decisions were best for him, Odysseus might not have made it home finally in the final chapters of the epic poem. One example of her influence is when she convinces Zeus to release Odysseus from Calypso where he is being held captive. She also disguises Odysseus as a beggar so that he can sneak into the castle unannounced to the suitors and successfully complete his plan of murdering all the suitors and taking back his kingdom. Without Athena’s help, who knows if Odysseus would have ever made it home safely and if he would have been able to take back his kingdom.
In Persuasion, Anne listens to her godmother, Lady Russell, when she is making big decisions. One such time that Lady Russell had a large role in changing Anne’s life is when she persuaded Anne to not accept the engagement of Captain Wentworth. This incident and the fact that Anne listened to her, changed the course of Anne’s life. For many years, Anne lived with the pain of losing the man she loved and tried to get through life in a family that underappreciated her, when if she had made the decision for herself, she could have been happily married and content with life, like we see at the end of the novel when she finally marries Wentworth and is finally rooted.
Another example of Lady Russell affecting Anne’s life is when she allows Anne to live with her while the rest of Anne’s family travels to Bath. She took it upon herself to change the course of Anne’s life because “her spirits were not high. A larger society would improve them. She wanted her to be more known” (Volume 1, Chapter 2) By preventing Anne from having to move to Bath right away with her father and sister, she was able to stay behind and run into Captain Wentworth all over again and they rekindled their love so they could live happily ever after by the end of the novel.
As you can see, a common theme between these two great narrative works is that for each main character, they have some outside force guiding their destiny by making decisions for them that change the course of their life in a positive, or sometimes not so positive, way.
There is a moment in The Odyssey where Telemachus recognizes his father, within a minute and it is a very special moment towards the end of the text. Even after not seeing his father for almost 20 years, he recognizes him and acknowledges that this is the man that everyone talks about & sings tales of. This moment is quite beautiful. In the same context, there are a few moments in Persuasion that mirror this moment. The first one is when Captain Wentworth sees Anne Elliot for the first time in several years, and they just look at each other, acknowledge their past romance and love for the other and life continues. With this one moment, Captain Wentworth gives Anne the “ok”, almost saying he is over their past love and they can move on and be cordial. This moment is repeated towards the end of the text, when Wentworth writes Anne a love letter and without making his attempt blatantly obvious, he just looks at her, looks at the letter, looks at her again and walks away. No words need to be exchanged but the full meaning is completely apparent. This look is much different from the first look they exchange, because at this moment, there is this slight suspense in the novel. We are not 100% sure what this letter means, but the look they exchange highlights that this is an important moment. There are several more occurrences where Odysseys and Telemachus share a look; on one occasion where Odysseus is still the beggar and is getting abused by the suitors. He has to look at Telemachus to calm his son down and prevent him from attacking the suitors or giving up his secret identity. The idea that one look is sufficient to say everything is incredibly powerful and used within both these texts, quite often. The looks between Odysseus and Telemachus are looks between a father and a son, that help accomplish a lot in the long run, when killing the suitors and reclaiming his home. The looks between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth much different than the looks that the father & son exchange, because they are in love with each other and the looks help secure their romance.
ReplyDelete