Jane Austen's Persuasion
Select one or more of the following activities to do throughout your reading of the novel.
1. Keep a dialog journal. In one column write down what is happening and in the other column write your reaction. Which lines, ideas, and/or actions resonate with you or repulse you?
2. Keep a character journal. Choose one of the major characters. After every chapter in which he or she appears, write down how you imagine the character would react to the events in the chapter.
3. Note who is telling the story. How does Austen want you to view each character? Jot down this information and see if the teller of the story changes his/her view on individuals throughout the novel. In what ways does the narrator move the plot along, build suspense, or confuse the reader? Discuss your views.
4. Create a web to illustrate the relationships among the characters. Put Anne at the center of the web. When all of the characters have been introduced, indicate who has the power in each relationship by coloring the line between the characters and adding an arrow pointing to the character who has the least power in the relationship. What gives some characters power over others? Has this changed today?
5. Subtext is that which is implied but not said. Choose a scene that seems heavy with unspoken thoughts, and write it into a script using modern English. Turn those unspoken thoughts into spoken words.
6. Collect physical descriptions of both male and female characters. How do these descriptions differ from the way characters are described in today's novels? Are the same physical characteristics noted? Are men or women described differently today than they were in Austen's day? Are concepts of beauty and good looks the same?
Chapter Summaries and Suggested Response Activities
These very brief chapter summaries are intended to provide a glimpse of major events. The summaries are accompanied by questions to involve readers more deeply in the story. The questions should be used sparingly to engage students in the novel, not overwhelm them with a myriad of questions.
Volume One
Chapter One
Sir Walter Elliot and his daughters Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary are introduced along with family confidantes Lady Russell and Mr. Shepherd. Memories of the deceased Lady Elliot are also mentioned. Readers learn about Sir Elliot's character, his expectations for his daughters, and his poor financial health.
1. What can you infer about Sir Elliot by the additions he makes to the book containing the family's history?
2. Compare Sir Elliot's expectations for each of his three daughters.
3. In Chapter One the reader briefly meets Sir Elliot and his oldest daughter Elizabeth. What do you learn about each of them? What about them is appealing or repulsive to you?
4. The narrator seems to have strong opinions about some characters. Where and how do you notice the narrator coloring your view of a character?
5. Sir Elliot is disturbed because he doesn't like the way his "heir presumptive" has acted in the past. Why can't he just leave his money, title, and estate to his daughters?
Chapter Two
Sir Elliot deals with his financial realities, as well as the options suggested by Mrs. Russell and Mr. Shepherd. Sir Elliot agrees to move out of Kellynch to apartments in Bath. We learn more about Anne and why she dislikes the idea of moving to Bath, and meet Mr. Shepherd's daughter, Mrs. Clay.
1. To what extent do you agree with Sir Elliot on the value of rank and consequence? Explain.
2. What do you learn about Sir Elliot by his reaction to Mrs. Russell's first proposal?
3. Sir Elliot is not managing his money well and cannot keep spending at his current rate or he will be bankrupt. He assigns Mrs. Russell and Mr. Shepherd the task of figuring out what to do. They make suggestions, and he fumes. Try to get into the mind of Sir Elliot and adopt his attitudes as you write a stream-of-consciousness reaction (an uninterrupted flow of his thoughts) to the necessity of cutting back. At the end write the advice Mother Teresa (or some other person who shuns material goods) might give him.
Chapter Three
Sir Elliot, Mr. Shepherd, and we see Mrs. Russell discuss how to rent Sir Elliot's estate. Sir Elliot shares his views on men in the navy, and Mrs. Clay's penchant for flattering Sir Elliot surfaces. A discussion of Admiral Croft, a potential tenant, reveals that his wife has brothers with the last name of Wentworth.
1. What does Sir Elliot reveal about himself and his attitudes in this chapter?
2. What attitudes expressed in this chapter are very different/very similar to attitudes in present-day society?
Chapter Four
In this chapter we learn of the relationship that Anne and Captain Frederick Wentworth had seven years earlier, as well as how and why she was persuaded not to marry him.
1. What qualities are Mrs. Russell and Sir Elliot looking for in a husband for Anne?
2. What do you think led Anne to acquiesce to her family's wishes? Should families have a say in whom their children marry? Explain.
3. Script the scene where Anne tells Frederick she cannot marry him.
4. The intrigue begins in this chapter. For this chapter and any other chapters in which the intrigue and tension build, assume you are a radio announcer who wants to keep his/her audience tuning in every day. What questions could you raise that would get others to want to read the next chapter? Example: Will Anne ever see Frederick again? Will their paths cross if the Crofts lease the Elliot estate? Will they speak to each other after all these years? Tune in tomorrow for Chapter Five to see if any of your questions are answered.
Chapter Five
Kellynch is let to the Crofts, and Sir Elliot and Elizabeth move immediately to Bath, taking Elizabeth's friend, Mrs. Clay, with them. Anne is to stay at her sister Mary's at Uppercross for a long visit. Here we meet Mary's in-laws, the Musgroves.
1. In this chapter Mrs. Clay's appearance is described and found to be lacking. What kind of evidence is given? How do we judge appearance today?
2. From Mary and Louisa and Henrietta's actions what are females of this class expected to do? How do they spend their time?
3. Write a diary entry from Anne's point of view about her arrival at Mary's.
4. What do these people who do not work do to keep their lives interesting?
Chapter Six
Anne settles in at Uppercross and notices the realities of her sister's relationship with her husband and children. Through Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove she hears about her sister's behavior as she becomes immersed in the family, their evening dances, and other social activities. When the Crofts move into Kellynch, they call on the Musgroves and impart the news that Mrs. Croft's brother will soon be visiting. At this point we hear of the unfortunate demise of the Musgrove's oldest son, Richard, who had at one time worked on the ship commanded by Captain Wentworth.
1. Why do you think poor, dead Richard is brought into the story? Who might we learn more about through his mention in the story?
2. Make a chart or web illustrating all the characters we have met so far and how they are related to each other.
3. From the first six chapters select lines or quotations that best illustrate the character of Anne, Elizabeth, Mary, Sir Elliot, and Mrs. Russell. Share these quotations and come to some conclusions about the goals or motivations of these characters.
4. What themes seem to be emerging? In groups, brainstorm possible themes and in what ways you see them emerging.
5. After meeting Mary, who appears to be rather whiny and spoiled, construct a conversation between Mary and someone who would be unsympathetic to her. What might they say to each other?
Chapter Seven
Captain Wentworth visits the Musgroves and both the daughters are charmed by his looks and manners. Anne is prevented from attending the dinner because little Charles, Mary's son, fell and dislocated his collar bone. The next morning she sees the Captain for a few minutes when he is in company. Henrietta reports an uncomplimentary remark made by the captain about Anne's changed looks. He also makes his intentions of finding a wife clear to his sister, Mrs. Croft.
1. Mary makes many assumptions about Anne and what she should be willing to do. How does she describe the role of mother to Anne? How does she explain why she should go to the party, not Anne? Comment on her actions.
2. How is the narrator in this chapter used to build tension?
3. Write a script that changes what happens between Anne and Mary when Mary insists that she should be the one to go to the party.
4. Write Anne's diary entry after she sees Frederick Wentworth.
Chapter Eight
Anne and Captain Wentworth are frequently in each other's company when they are with the Musgroves. They speak to each other rarely, but are civil when they do speak. The Musgrove girls dote on the Captain as do their cousins, the Misses Hayter. Admiral Croft, Mrs. Croft, and Captain Wentworth have an extended conversation about whether women should be allowed to travel on ships.
1. What do you learn about Captain Wentworth in this chapter?
2. What do you learn about how naval men view women? What assumptions are they making about women?
3. What keeps Captain Wentworth and Anne from speaking honestly to each other? Would we include people today in social gatherings who had once been engaged? Both the Captain and Anne are very polite to each other. How might things be different today?
Chapter Nine
Captain Wentworth is so enjoying his visit with his sister, Mrs. Croft, that he decides to stay indefinitely and spend much of his time at Uppercross. The Croft's solid, happy marriage is illustrated, and we meet Charles Hayter, cousin to the Musgroves but their social inferior, who has eyes only for Henrietta. At this point Henrietta is still very taken by Wentworth and Hayter becomes jealous. Mary's husband Charles is a good friend to Hayter and approves of him. Mary, of course, hopes Hayter and Henrietta will not become involved. Anne and Wentworth converse as he deliberately removes her unruly nephew from her back.
1. Why is Charles Hayter's economic and social standing of such interest to Mary? Why is Mary less than enthusiastic about him?
2. In the extended Musgrove family, who has the highest social standing? the lowest? Do we still view and rank people by their social and economic standings?
3. Write the journal entry of Charles Hayter following his morning with Captain Wentworth.
Chapter Ten
The Musgrove girls invite Anne and Mary to take a long walk and are soon joined by Charles M. and Captain Wentworth. The Captain walks with the Musgrove girls, and Anne overhears much of their conversation. Because they walk a long distance and are very close to Winthrop, the home of the Hayters, Charles insists on visiting and takes Henrietta with him. At this point Anne is hidden from view as she, Louisa, and Captain Wentworth wait the return of the others. Anne overhears a conversation between Louisa and the Captain which seems infused with warmth and caring. He then finds out from Louisa that Anne had turned down Charles Musgrove when Charles wished to marry her. Meanwhile, after the visit to the Hayters, Charles Hayter joins them, and he and Henrietta seem happy to be together. Through the Captain's actions Anne is convinced that although he will never forgive her refusal to marry, he still has some feelings for her.
1. Charles Hayter never confronts Henrietta about whether she cares for him or for the Captain. What do you think of the way he handles the situation? Does his strategy work?
2. Captain Wentworth doesn't respond much to Mary. What do you think he would like to say to her?
3. What does Captain Wentworth say he admires in women? Why might this be important to him?
Chapter Eleven
Days before Anne is to join Lady Russell at her home, Captain Wentworth returns from a visit to an old friend, Captain Harville, in Lyme. Louisa persuades her parents to let their group go for a visit, so off they go. While in Lyme, they not only meet the Harvilles but also the Harvilles' friend, Captain Benwick, who was engaged to Captain Harville's sister before her death six months earlier. After dinner, Anne finds herself in the company of Benwick who seems to enjoy and appreciate his conversations with her.
1. Captain Benwick is trying to get over the death of his fiancee. What advice would you give him?
2. Does Anne seem interested in Benwick? Do you think they would be good for each other?
Chapter Twelve
Returning from a stroll on the beach, a man unknown to the group casts a long, appreciative glance at Anne. He seems agreeable to Anne, and later she discovers he is her cousin, Mr. Elliot. On a last walk along the beach before the group is to return home, Louisa surprises Wentworth by jumping down from a step. He fails to catch her; she lands on her head and is carried unconscious to the Harville's house. Because a surgeon says she must not be moved, it is decided that she will stay with the Harvilles along with Charles Musgrove and Mary, who insists she also must remain in Lyme. Anne, Henrietta, and Wentworth return to Uppercross.
1. Why do you suspect such great notice is taken of the man on the beach steps who looks at Anne with such great appreciation?
2 If you were Captain Wentworth, how would you feel about the accident? What do you think he will do next?
3. Wentworth's attitude towards Anne seems to have softened. What does he say to her that especially pleases her?
At the End of Volume One
Because some issues and ideas might be forgotten or not seem of much importance if they are dealt with at the end of the book, stopping after the first volume and inviting students to do one or more of the following activities can help keep interest high.
This activity encourages students to think about the mood of some of the scenes:
1. Look back over the chapters and scenes. Find some background music that captures the mood of a scene or chapter. Share your findings with the class and see if they can figure out why the music fits the scene or chapter you identified.
These activities ask students to delve deeper into characterization, make judgments about the characters, and to extend their learning beyond the novel:
2. Imagine that an expert on parenting could observe Sir Elliot interacting with his three daughters and Mary interacting with her two young sons. Write a report from the point of view of the expert. Include the areas of parenting in which there are problems as well as recommendations for strengthening the parenting skills of Sir Elliot and Mary.
3. Is Anne too good to be true? Is she just too nice to everyone? Should she think of her own needs and wants more? What do you think she should have learned from her breakup? Write a pep talk you would give Anne.
4. You are invited to a tea by a character you like and a character you despise. You discuss the invitation with a friend explaining why you'd like to spend time with a character and what you'd talk about. Then explain why you don't want to meet the other character and what you fear you'd have to talk about.
This activity asks students to think about point of view:
5. If someone were to write the story of your life and you were not around, name all the people who would be needed to tell the story of the real you. What kind of information could each give about you? How would they characterize your actions and words? How would the telling of the story of your life change if it were told by someone who didn't like you? With this in mind, write a brief statement from each of the main characters explaining how they feel about the way they have been depicted so far. If each of them were telling the story, what would they change about their own characterization?
Volume Two
Chapter One
Charles returns from Lyme and sends the family's old nursemaid to help Mrs. Harville nurse Louisa. Anne goes to stay with Lady Russell. After a few days she gets enough courage to call on the Crofts, who live in her former home. There she finds that the note she received about Louisa's health had been brought by Captain Wentworth. She also discovers that when he had been at Kellynch he had inquired about her and expressed concern over her exertions at Lyme. Anne enjoys the company of the Crofts, who are very hospitable, and is happy they have made so few changes to the house.
1. Anne is very happy to hear that Captain Wentworth has inquired about her. Her heart is still his, and she hungers for every piece of information about him so she can try to piece together how he feels about her. Go back through the chapters in which he appears and list all his interactions with her. Then write Anne a letter telling her whether you think there is hope for the relationship.
2. The Crofts are portrayed as one of the few happily married couples in the novel. What is there about their relationship that seems so different from the other relationships shown (Mary and Charles, the elder Musgroves)?
Chapter Two
Louisa is making a slow recovery at Lyme. Charles and Mary return to Uppercross with very definite opinions of Captain Benwick. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove bring the Harville children home with them for the Christmas holidays. Because Anne and Lady Russell are present for the noisy Christmas celebration, Lady Russell is very glad to get away and travel to Bath.
1. What kinds of things seem to make Mary happy? Why might women at the time of the novel have focused on such things?
2. Why does Charles believe that Captain Benwick is very taken with Anne? What facts does he use to draw this conclusion? What signs do we use today to confirm that someone might be interested in us?
3. Over the Christmas holiday it is very popular to go to vacation spots. In Jane Austen's day, Bath was a very popular spot with the landed gentry. What would you consider to be a terrific place to go for a vacation? What kinds of things do you like to do when you're on a vacation? Compare your list to early 19th-century vacation activities.
Chapter Three
Anne is warmly greeted by her family, who tell her that their cousin, William Elliot, is also in Bath. Details of his earlier marriage and his widowhood are revealed, but Anne still feels that all is not right with his sudden interest in the family. She discovers from her family, who talk at length about him, that Mr. Elliot has close friends in Bath - Colonel Wallis and his expectant wife. Late that evening Mr. Elliot drops by and seems favorably impressed with Anne.
1. How are Elizabeth and Sir Walter Elliot adapting to their new surroundings? What kind of things do they seem to be focusing on?
2. Austen has mastered the art of understatement. She says of Mr. Elliot's hoped-for interest in her sister, "Most earnestly did she (Anne) wish that he might not be too nice, or too observant, if Elizabeth were his object" (133). Restate this in modern English to make apparent exactly what she means.
3. Appearance is emphasized in this chapter. How are men physically described? How do we describe men differently today? Look at Sir Walter's comments on the looks of the people in Bath. Why is this so important to him? Why do you think the author repeatedly shows Sir Walter's concern with appearance?
Chapter Four
Lady Russell and Anne become better acquainted with Mr. Elliot. Lady Russell is a bit put out that Mrs. Clay seems more valued by Sir Elliot and Elizabeth than Anne. Then Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, distant cousin of the Elliots, arrives in town and Sir Walter and Elizabeth worry about how to introduce themselves properly.
1. Why is Anne so concerned about whether or not Mrs. Clay has intentions of pursuing her father, Sir Walter?
2. Mr. Elliot says, "Good company [not the best company] requires only birth [to a good family], education, and manner." Do you agree? What do you learn about Mr. Elliot through this conversation with Anne?
3. "Place" in society is seen as very important. Explain what is meant by "place" and what must be done to maintain it. Are many people today still concerned about their "place"? Explain.
Chapter Five
Anne renews her friendship with Mrs. Smith, a former governess, who was very kind to Anne after Anne's mother's death. She finds Mrs. Smith, who had married well, now poor and in ill health, living in a poor part of town. Mrs. Smith needs nursing help, which Mrs. Rooke, the landlady's sister, has been able to provide. Although she is in a very bad situation, Anne discovers that Mrs. Smith is fairly positive in her thinking. Lady Russell is won over by Mr. Elliot and thinks he would be suitable for Anne.
1. What does Anne's relationship with Mrs. Smith suggest to you about Anne? How does her father react to these visits? Why?
2. Why do you think the character of Mrs. Smith has been introduced into the novel? Predict what part she might play.
3. Lady Russell thinks Mr. Elliot is suitable for Anne; Anne disagrees. Make a list of what each sees in Mr. Elliot. Whose judgment do you think might be correct? Why?
Chapter Six
When the Admiral and Mrs. Croft come to Bath, they bring with them a letter from Mary containing the news that Louisa is well, has returned home, and will marry Captain Benwick! Anne is thrilled at the news that Captain Wentworth is now free.
1. Write Anne's diary entry after she receives the news of Louisa's engagement.
2. There are many indications throughout the novel that the Crofts are happy in their marriage and well suited to each other. What might Mrs. Croft tell the women of her day about the selection of a marriage partner and about the practice of marrying for position or wealth?
Chapter Seven
Anne and Captain Wentworth see each other unexpectedly in a small shop, and appear very flustered. Anne is waiting for Mr. Elliot to walk her home while Elizabeth and her friend are taking a carriage to get out of the rain. Anne has no other contact with Captain Wentworth for several days, only glimpsing him briefly on the street.
1. Construct the embarrassed conversation that probably occurred between Wentworth and Anne when they meet each other unexpectedly.
2. Write the journal entry that Captain Wentworth might write after seeing Anne and then realizing she is with Mr. Elliot.
Chapter Eight
Anne and her family attend a concert as part of Lady Dalrymple's party. While waiting for the Lady, Captain Wentworth arrives, and he and Anne engage in conversation, which turns to the engagement of Louisa and Captain Benwick. Wentworth voices amazement that a man as deeply attached to a woman as superior as Fanny Harville could love another so soon after the death of the first. Anne's heart leaps at this pronouncement, but their conversation is cut short when the Lady arrives. Seated next to Mr. Elliot during the concert, Anne hears from him that he has known of Anne for a long time. Captain Wentworth sees Mr. Elliot's apparent interest in Anne and leaves the concert early.
1. Write the conversation that Captain Wentworth and Anne would really like to have had.
2. Mr. Elliot is very complimentary of Anne and her skills. Would women today respond differently to a compliment like the one he gave her? Explain.
Chapter Nine
Anne goes again to visit her friend, Mrs. Smith, and is amazed to hear from her that she believes Anne to be on the verge of an engagement to Mr. Elliot. When Anne assures her this is not the case, Mrs. Smith tells her the story of how she was acquainted with Mr. Elliot and why she loathes him.
1. Which of Mrs. Smith's revelations about Mr. Elliot seem most condemning? Explain.
2. If Anne were to write Mr. Elliot a letter, what would it include?
Chapter Ten
The Musgroves, along with Charles, Mary, Henrietta, and Captain Harville, come to Bath. Henrietta is to buy wedding clothes, since Charles Hayter now has a situation that will allow their marriage. At an informal gathering at the Musgroves' rooms, Captain Wentworth appears with Charles, and Anne wishes she could spend time with the Captain. Her sister and father arrive and issue invitations to a get-together at their place the following evening. Captain Wentworth is included in the invitation, although he does not appear impressed by it.
1. Austen writes of Captain Benwick: "His reading has done him no harm, for he has fought as well as read." (206). What does this statement indicate about what was important at this time? To what extent have attitudes changed in our time?
2. Elizabeth gives a long justification for not inviting the Musgroves to a formal dinner. In what sorts of situations today is such justification still given?
3. Anne's father and sister cast a chill on the gathering at the Musgroves. If Mrs. Musgrove were to write a letter to Elizabeth chiding her for her pretentiousness, what would she say?
Chapter Eleven
Anne commits herself to a day with the Musgroves. While there, she talks with Captain Harville about whether men or women are more constant in their love. Because her heartfelt explanations are overheard by Captain Wentworth, he writes her a note professing his love. All he asks from her is a sign so he can know her feelings. A little later, when Anne is escorted home by Charles, they come upon Captain Wentworth, who accompanies Anne home. During this walk they come to an understanding and reveal their deep feelings for each other.
1. Captain Harville claims men do not quickly forget about the women they love while Anne claims the same for women. Do you believe men and women differ in their capacities to love and in remaining true to the one they love?
2. If Captain Wentworth were to write advice to other young men about love, what would he say to them based on his own experience?
3. Anne believes she was right to be "persuaded" by Lady Russell not to marry Captain Wentworth when he proposed years earlier. Explain her reasoning. Do you agree with her?
Chapter Twelve
This last chapter focuses on reactions to the impending marriage of Anne and Captain Wentworth and gives some indications of what happens to Mr. Elliot, Mrs. Clay, and Mrs. Smith.
1. How does Mary react to the news of Anne's engagement? Did you expect this kind of reaction? Why?
2. How does Mr. Elliot react? What do we learn about him through his reaction?
