Persuasion (novel)

Persuasion is the last novel Jane Austen wrote, and generally considered the most romantic. Jane Austen began her last book soon after she had finished Emma, and completed it in August, 1816. Persuasion is connected with Northanger Abbey not only by the fact that the two books were originally bound up in one volume and published together two years later, and are still so issued, but in the circumstance that in both stories the scene is laid partly in Bath, a health resort with which Jane Austen was well acquainted, as having been her place of residence from the year 1801 till 1805. The title refers to the persuasion to which the heroine, Anne Elliot, has given in, to her later regret.

Warning: wikipedia contains spoilers

Anne Elliot is now in her late twenties, and generally considered to be "on the shelf". In her earlier years, she had been persuaded to reject Captain Wentworth, the love of her life, because of his poverty and poor prospects -- Anne's father is a baronet. Some years later Wentworth returns into her life. Their fortunes are now reversed, as Wentworth has done well in the navy whilst Anne's family are in financial difficulties. Anne believes Wentworth is no longer interested in her, but gradually their love reasserts itself.

The most famous scene is the incident at Lyme Regis, where Louisa, whom Anne considers a rival for Wentworth's affection, is injured in a fall brought about by her own impetuous behaviour. This is intended to highlight the difference between Louisa and the sensible Anne.

A simple story, perhaps, but deeply moving and very funny. Jane Austen had difficulty in deciding on the ending, which was changed from the original version.

External link

• Project Gutenberg e-text of Persuasion