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1、In Comparison with Pride and Prejudice A Comparative study of Jane Austens PersuasionBy Grant Mainz Tutor: Prof. Lambert Quintin SchenckFeburary 201*AbstractJane Austen, a popular English novelist of late 18th and early 19th centuries, during her short span of life time, she completed 6 novels, with
2、 4 of them published in life, Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1816), and the other 2, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published posthumously in 1818, Sanditon a novel she died before completing it. Yet, most of her works received only lukew
3、arm attention at the time of their publication. Persuasion, a posthumously published novel which tells a love affair between Anne Elliot the heroine and Captain Wentworth, is a typical example, out of speculation of Jane Austens inability to produce quality prose for her deteriorating state of healt
4、h, literary reviews and critics at the time viewed Persuasion as an “unfortunate performance” when compared to her previous works. A novel lacked invention and was merely viewed as a better version of her practice of story writing. However, through comparison with her earlier canons, especially Prid
5、e and Prejudice, Persuasion for the first time in history introduces a heroine who is attempting to value emotion over reason, individual happiness over propriety, and it marks Jane Austens final assertion of the validity and worth of female emotions that it is the right of woman to fulfill her own
6、happiness instead of her duty to family and society. Through looking into the issues of first impressions, judgement for personal merits and the revolutionary influences. This comparative study proves that instead of being lowly credited as a mediocre performance of the author, Persuasion stands out
7、 as a revolt against Jane Austens usual ideas and perceptions of the worth of female emotions. In addition, by comparison of the allusive elements existing between Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice, this thesis reveals Jane Austens shift in value and her core concern towards what is reasonable and
8、what is desirable, which may just be the motives that compel the author to write especially Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice,.Keywords: Jane Austen ; Persuasion; Pride and Prejudice; Female Emotions; Persuit of HappinessIn Comparison with Pride and Prejudice A Comparative study of Jane Austens Per
9、suasion. IntroductionJane Austen, an English novelist of late 18th and early 19th centuries, during her short span of life time, she completed 6 novels, with 4 of them published in life, Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1816), and the other 2, No
10、rthanger Abbey and Persuasion were published posthumously in 1818, Sanditon a novel which death had forced her to abandon. Jane Austen, a beloved literary figure whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most popular female writers in English lite
11、rature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Persuasion is Jane Austens last completed novel which tells a love story between Anne Elliot the heroine and Captain Wentworth whose marriage proposal Anne had rejected on the unjust groun
12、d of persuasion that he can not be a suitable match for his lack of fortune and uncertainty of future given he is unlikely to survive the coming naval engagement, though not only did he survive the war, he made a large fortune for capturing enemy ships, now wealthy and decorated, the naval officer r
13、eturning gloriously to the immediate circle of Anne, who now is still a single woman with a heart filled with guilt for rejecting him 7 years ago, and he too has not forgiven her, however, through Annes firm actions and prudent conducts displayed while tendering the injured Louisa Musgrove, and her
14、honest exchange of views about the relative faithfulness of men and women in love to his friend Captian Harville, Wentworth realises his admiration for Anne had never left him, and he writes a note to Anne detailing his feeling for her. In a tender scene, Anne and Wentworth reconcile and renew their
15、 engagement After its publication, Persuasion did not receive much favourable attentions, literary reviews and critics at the time hold that Persuasion is a mediocre performance when compared to her previous volumes, “a much less fortunate performance thanher previous novels” and was viewed as littl
16、e more than a substandard version of her practice of writing stories, “devoid of invention.obviously all drawn from experience” (Southam, 1968:83). For years, these kinds of opinion consisted the consensus about Jane Austens final contribution to the world of literature. However, through comparing t
17、o her earlier canons, especially Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion for the first time in history introduces a heroine who is attempting to value emotion over reason, individual happiness over propriety, and marks Jane Austens final assertion of the validity and worth of female emotions that it is the
18、right of woman to fulfill her own happiness instead of her duty to family and society. Through carefully examining the similarities and differences existing between Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice, this thesis intends to prove that instead of being lowly credited as a mediocre work of the author,
19、 Jane Austen wrote a revolutionary volume, for in Persuasion she reflects her renewed and final assertion of the worth of female emotions and individual happiness upon creating Anne Elliot the heroine who is a woman attempting to unchain the societal and familial constraints in her pursuit of love a
20、nd happiness. In addition, this thesis is to discuss the possibility of a framework of language of allusion existing in these two bookends of her career, and to argue Austens intention to write Persuasion as a reconsideration of her world view and perception on the value of female emotion in love an
21、d marriage in writing Pride and Prejudice. Finally, by extending to certain life events of the author, this thesis reveals Jane Austens concern towards reason and desire is the true motives that she had in mind in writing Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice. . Persuasion as Austens Revolt in Value an
22、d Philosophy Persuasion, after its publication, did not receive much favourable attentions. Literary reviews and critics at the time hold that Persuasion is a mediocre performance when compared to her previous volumes. Since these kinds of opinion were mainly based upon the popular assumption that P
23、ersuasion was written in a hurry as Jane Austen was at the twilight stage of her life, it must be admitted that compared to her previous works, in this thesis, Pride and Prejudice, it is both shorter and arguably less polished, but a criticism of Persuasion as lacking invention and as the same old s
24、tory is both inapt and unjust, for a closer look at Persuasion, reveals it to be an attempt of the author to revolt her mindset and perception reflected in her previous canons or more specifically in Pride and Prejudice. Through analysis of the following issues: first impressions, judgement for pers
25、onal merits, and revolutionary influences, the true worth of Persuasion would be revealed.2.1 First ImpressionsThe legitimacy and accountability of first impressions has always been contemplated by Jane Austen, who, both in Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, dedicates considerable portion of the pl
26、ots to explain her position on the matter. At the start of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy was portrayed as a proud aristocrat with a snobbish tast, a man who deliberately distances himself from the rest, gives a general impression as“a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So hig
27、h and so conceited that there was no enduring him! . fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with!.” (Austen, 1813:19), and as for Elizabeth Bennet, after overhearing Mr. Darcys casual opinion of her being “tolerable; but not handsome enough” (Austen, 1813:17), the proud image o
28、f Mr.Darcy is once more reinforced, even Mr. Darcy s rigid behaviour is not without ground, as when he is encouraged by Mr. Bingley to find a partner for dancing, he explains his unwillingness as “unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner” (Austen, 1813:16) that he would remain as unobligi
29、ng as he is. Nevertheless, Mr. Darcys prudence is misrecognized for arrogance by the heroine, and it paves the way for her rejection of his first love proposal. Here, Jane Austen questions the legitimacy and accountability of ones first impressions, as she continues the plot to clarify the true char
30、acters of Mr. Darcy as a considerable and sensible gentleman with dignity and principle. However, in Persuasion, Jane Austen takes a totally different position as she portrays Anne Elliot to possess a much better judgement for characters, “a remarkably fine young man, with a great deal of intelligen
31、ce, spirit, and brilliancy” (Austen, 1818:31) sums up her initial impressions of Captain Wentworth; “rational, discreet, polished, not open, no burst of feeling” (Austen, 1818:185) as her initial impressions of William Elliot, and both impressions prove to be accurate at the end of the plot. Unlike
32、the “spoiled” Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot is not among the favourites of her family, her unspectacular life of a commoner offends her father, who appreciates nothing but elevated ranks and appearance, and her older sister Elizabeth only sees her as a nobody but an instrument for practical use, her
33、 only consolation comes from the guidance of a Lady Russell whose help happens to be not so “helpful”. For Anne Elliot lives in such an unsupportive surrounding, she must rely upon her own good judgement, which to a great extent, roots in her instinct for genuineness in affection, and a longing for
34、an unwearied marriage with simple happiness, of which in the end of the plot becomes eventuated. 2.2 Judgement for Personal MeritsThe author had, both in Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, discussed the issue of jugdement for personal merits, which evolves from admiring Mr. Darcy, a young aristocra
35、t with large inheritance to eulogizing the rising bourgeoisie represented by Captain Wentworth and the Crofts, who come from common lineage, acquire their wealth and social prominence through sacrificing and toiling for the country. “They were of a respectable family in the north of England; a circu
36、mstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their brothers fortune and their own had been acquired by trade.” (Austen, 1813:21), in Pride and Prejudice, though as wealthy as Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley is still treated to be somewhat inferior by the general opinion, for Mr. Darcys elevated
37、rank is naturally inherited, and Mr. Bingley, a rankless man, only with money to be recommended with. It is certainly convenient for Jane Austen to arrange Elizabeth Bennet to be coupled with the wealthiest and most aristocratic man introduced in the novel, and her older and simpler sister marries t
38、he man whose money was acquired through trade. Yet, in Persuasion, Jane Austen demonstrates her evolved perception for the same issue. “First, as being the means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt
39、of” (Austen, 1818:23). As one of the two objections, Sir. Walter Elliot has against the navy, it clearly expresses his disgust at the profession, through which a commoner may rise into prominent position, where under normal circumstances, they would not be dreamt of. However, the Baronets embarrassi
40、ng financial situation speaks for the general trend of a waning aristocrat, his vanity and extravagant life style has forced him to be removed from Kellynch Hall his usual manor, which is ironically leased by a retired Admiral Croft, and of course, his daughter the heroine marries a naval captain as
41、 well. At Persuasions conclusion, instead of a confirmation of the world being at peace the way it was with inherited wealth reigning supreme over Englands economy, Jane Austen shows her readership a radical assertion that money and power are indeed shifting away from the impotent aristocracy, and i
42、nstead to this class of self-made individuals.2.3 Revolutionary InfluenceThe turn of the 19th century is a time when great changes have happened to challenge the existing values and social orders. Politically, it is called an era of revolutions, intellectually it is called an era of Enlightenment. I
43、n the continental Europe, the old feudal lords tremble at the feet of Napoleons troops, in the new world across the Altantic Ocean, the American colonists have just gained their independence through a bloody struggle, and for the first time in history, “persuit of happiness” has been recognised as a
44、n unalienable right of a human being. In 1792, 26 years prior to the publication of Persuasion, Mary Wollstonecraft wrote the Vindication of the Rights of Woman, in which, she speaks of a melancholy truth-“the most respectable women are the most oppressed” and she cries for the equality of woman as
45、she points out the potential that her gender possesses, “women who might have practiced as physicians, regulated a farm, managed a shop, and stood erect, supported by their own industry”. Then, she reveals the consequence of being a contemptible woman as she speaks “if they women will make themselve
46、s insignificant and contemptible,. Let them not expect to be valued when their beauty fades” (Spievogel, 2005:314) . Those are just the realities that Jane Austen had put Anne Elliot into. As an old maid with faded youth, would she be able to summon enough courage to overcome the guilty feeling of r
47、ejecting Wentworth 7 year ago? Has she got the gut to break loose the societal and familial expectations and follow her own heart which is set for Wentworth, a man who is despised by her own family? the answer that Jane Austen gives clearly indicates her evolved perception of the true worth of femal
48、e emotion that it is right of woman to pursue her own happiness regardless the expectations placed upon them by society and family, a perception surely qualifies for a revolution.Persuasion is also the first novel where Jane Austen portrays genuinely impoverished and lower class characters like Mrs.
49、 Smith and her nurse. Mrs. Smith used to be a member of the gentry, but after the death of her husband, she lost everything and became destitute in her widowhood. Considering that most Austens heroines are gentlewomen on the brink of poverty. Mrs. Smith is certainly a very unconventional character for Anne Elliot to befriend with. In her last novel, Jane Austen finally shows her readership the darker side of the social and economical issue that she has bee
