| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 外國語文學系 === 87 === This thesis is focused on exposing the luxury, decadence and moral corruption of Baronet Sir Walter, William Elliot and Elizabeth of the titled landed gentry in the genteel class of the early nineteenth century England. Anne, the heroine, suffers tremendous pain and agony from her father’s vanity of status and appearance, his irresponsibility to the parish and the poor, and, most of all, his snobbery to the naval officers. Such poignant social-consciousness” or “pride” of the Elliots resulted in Anne’s canceling her engagement with Captain Wentworth eight years ago before the opening of Persuasion. At that time, Anne obeyed the prudential rules of the ladies in the upper society and fulfilled her filial duty to Lady Russell, her godmother, and severed the engagement. However, Sir Walter’s bankruptcy now leads to Anne’s accidental meeting with Captain Wentworth at Uppercross.
In Persuasion, Jane Austen drastically rebukes and criticizes the extravagant lifestyle of the Elliots and satirizes the snobbish and vain attitude towards the Dalrymples, the nobility, and Mrs. Clay and William Elliot, the parasites, as much as possible. On the one hand, the Elliots’ self-consequence and snobbery are disgusting to Musgroves, the plain, prosperous and generous landed gentry. On the other hand, Sir Walter contemns the enthusiastic, vigorous, upright, assiduous naval officers for their lack of noble birth and eminent social status. Sir Walter is blind to the existing “unfeudal tone” of the more democratic, commercial-oriented, and open society. That the economic vitality and moral legitimacy transfer from the debt-ridden Sir Walter to Admiral Croft is signified through the Crofts’ renting of Kellynch Hall and the Elliots’ removal to Bath.
Anne’s predicaments and restraints being a woman in a patriarchal landed gentry are meant by Jane Austen to be deeply sympathized and identified with by the readers. Anne proves herself to be an exemplary lady both in morality and intelligence. Anne grows from an obedient, intimidated, and diffident girl of nineteen to an independent, autonomous, dependable, self-assertive woman to the Musgroves, the naval officers and impoverished Mrs. Smith. Despite the injustice of law, especially Primogeniture, scarce education, lack of career training, and opportunity to get distinguished in her society, Anne learns by herself and owns both sweet virtues as a gentlewoman as well as masculine determination to persevere through curtailments. Anne is psychologically and physically alienated and isolated by Sir Walter and Elizabeth at Kellynch and deprived of her rightful dues. What is worse, Anne suffers from Captain Wentworth’s prejudices on “firmness” and “persuasability” and has to face the impending spinsterhood in poverty, without any identification in the genealogy and the society.
Through the depiction of Captain Wentworth’s epiphany, Jane Austen points out the importance of mutual esteem and sexual equality in happy marriage. Captain Wentworth has accused Anne of being weak in canceling their engagement and seeks rebound in Louisa Musgrove. Only after the accident on the Cobb does he realize Anne’s strong sense of responsibility and selfless-devotion to friends. Both of Captain Wentworth’s enlightenment and Anne’s taking the initiative at Bath contribute to their reunion.
This thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter one is the introduction of the following chapter II, III, IV, and a brief overview of the theory I will apply to this thesis. Chapter two treats the moral and financial decadence of the Elliots, which causes their unpopularity to the Musgroves and the impediments to Anne. Chapter three discusses Anne’s mental growth during her separation with Captain Wentworth. Anne wins the respects of the Musgroves and the naval officers for her devotion, capability and reliability. Finally, Anne turns her back on her father’s tyranny and flees Lady Russell’s control, and autonomously seeks her companions. Chapter four focuses on Captain Wentworth’s education and Anne’s leading their rapprochement at Bath. Chapter five is the conclusion to wrap this thesis up.
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