My Thoughts on Persuasion by Jane Austen

Of Jane Austen's six major novels, there are two that it's taken me forever to finally get around to reading: Mansfield Park and Persuasion. This is probably due to the fact that I keep rereading Pride and Prejudice and Emma when I could be reading new books (can you blame me, though?), but anyways.... About a month ago, I finished reading Persuasion for the very first time, and oh my goodness you guys, it was amazing! I had already heard many good things about it, and I wasn't at all disappointed. I only wish that I had read it sooner!

So in order to give myself a chance to rave about this lovely novel for a bit, I thought I'd put together a quick post in which I share my thoughts on it! This isn't going to be a review or anything, because I'm too lazy for that, but rather just a list of what I liked about it and such. Sound good?

Also, there will likely be some spoilers ahead, so keep that in mind if you haven't read Persuasion yet!

Okay, first things first, let's talk about the main characters. I shall start with the heroine, Anne Elliot. At twenty-seven, she is the oldest of Jane Austen's heroines, and is therefore a bit more mature than some of the others. I have to say that I really, really like Anne! All throughout the book, she proves to be such a kind, caring sister and friend. She's wise, practical, very good-natured, but unfortunately, underappreciated by her family. I truly feel for Anne because of how unkindly her father and older sister treat her, but admire her all the more for the patience and kindness that she shows them anyways.

Next, of course, is Captain Wentworth. Despite the fact that he behaves rather resentfully towards Anne upon their first being reacquainted (I mean, I get that she really hurt him when she refused him eight years before, but still!), throughout the course of the novel he is shown to be very kind and gentlemanly. Not to mention the fact that he is a wonderful letter-writer! Which brings me to my next point...

THE LETTER! If you've read Persuasion, then you'll know that I'm talking about the letter in which Captain Wentworth tells Anne, in such beautiful language, that his love for her is as strong as ever. When I read this part in the book, I seriously had a huge grin on my face the entire time! It's just so sweet. Here's a little excerpt from it (you're welcome!):

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan."

*swoon*

Overall, Persuasion is a wonderfully-written, heartwarming story about a beautiful, constant, and enduring love. Of course, one can't help wishing that Anne had never been persuaded into breaking off her engagement with Captain Wentworth eight years earlier, so that they could have avoided the resulting years of separation and pain. However, it just makes it all the more beautiful when Anne and Captain Wentworth finally end up together, and I think because of it they will treasure each other all the more.

If you've read Persuasion, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! And if you haven't, I hope that this post has maybe convinced you to give it a read soon; it's truly a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it!

-Molly 

P.S. I know I'm a tad late, but I hope all of my fellow American readers had a happy Thanksgiving! :) Now it's officially acceptable to get into the Christmas spirit (although I must be honest: I've been listening to Christmas music for quite some time now!). I can't wait to start planning out some Christmassy posts to celebrate this wonderful time of year.

P.P.S. I just finished watching North and South (2004) for the first time, and overall I thought it was really good! Ever since then I've been listening to this song on repeat, literally; it's just beautiful. :)