Persuasion Jane Austen

The theme of class consciousness exists within the early 19th century England. As far as the early writings are concerned, it was woman who always seek for fortune and wealth in a man. “Austen” represents and breaks certain stereotypes of woman in earlier portrayal of woman in literature. In this novel, one can observe the male character “Sir Walter Elliot” who married a wealthy woman, “Mrs. Elliot”, and “Sir Walter” and her daughter could no longer become a financially independent family after the decease of “Mrs. Elliot”.

Critically, “Austen” is showing the fortune a woman carries and the lifestyle she grants to a family in the novel. After her departure, the family soon moved to the Bath while leaving Kellynch Hall to Admiral Croft. The stereotyping is dismantled in the novel where “Austen” portrays a male character named “Mr. Elliot actually married a wealthy woman instead of “Elizabeth” to gain fortune for himself. This clearly projects that man also seeks a wealthy and rich woman of fortune in the society to raise their social status.

The other dominant theme in the novel is the love and reconciliation. The story revolves around the love affairs of “Anne” and “Captain Wentworth”. They were in a relationship seven years ago when “Lady Russell” tells her to leave him for his poor status. After many years, “Captain Wentworth” came back to Kellynch Hall to visit “Mrs. Crofts” whose deceased son “Richard” worked under him for many years. The return of “Captain Wentworth” not only mesmerized “Anne” but everyone else where he was a man of fortune at present. The both couples already had love but the love never ended for they both still love each other but pretended not to say or hint at each other.

The theme of reconciliation happens when “Captain Wentworth” gives letter to “Anne” telling his feelings for her and wants an immediate response for him. “Anne” also felt the same feelings for him and they were later reconciled again and their marriage was setup.