Persuasion: A Good or Bad Thing?

Kayla McElwee
Section 1G-Fridays, 12-12:50pm

Anne is clearly an example of a character who is constantly persuaded throughout Austen's novel. For example, eight years before the novel begins, Lady Russell persuaded Anne not to marry Captain Wentworth. This decision leads the Captain to negatively judge Anne's firmness of mind and strength of character. However, Anne does not believe that Lady Russell's persuasiveness negatively affected her. Although she disagrees with the content of Lady Russell's advice, she thinks that (at the time) it was correct for her to be persuaded in such a manner. After all, Lady Russell is Anne's "mother figure", and Anne is obligated to heed her advice. Anne reasons that a sound mind pays heed to duty and to the judgment of others.

In contrast, Louisa Musgrove is an example of someone who can not be persuaded. Try as he might, Captain Wentworth can not prevent Louisa from jumping off the wall; as Lousia says, "I am determined I will". While the Captain initially praises Louisa's strong character, he later realizes that there is a big difference between a constant disposition (i.e. Anne) and a stubborn mind (i.e. Louisa). In the end, Austen allows the reader to judge whether persuasion is a positive or negative force. Therefore, even though Austen's narrator(s) tend(s) to be biased, the reader is allowed to form his/her thoughts about the main theme of the novel.

Personally, I admire both types of people: those who are firm to their convictions and those who are open to the suggestion of others. I do not feel that the reader has to choose either/or. It is possible for an individual to stay true to his/her values and morals but to also heed the advice of others.