"Persuasion" by Jane Austen

As a young woman, I seek primary role models in my life. Jane Austen is one of those role models. She once stated that "If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad." Jane Austen was an author of numerous novels that invoke naturalism. She stood out amongst the public because she did not follow social norms. Her writing has inspired me to seek my own adventures and read literature. Earlier this month, I began to read Persuasion. This is the last novel Austen fully completed. It also considered to be the most romantic of Jane Austen's works.

Persuasion opens with a brief history of the Elliot family as recorded in Sir Walter Elliot's favorite book, The Baronetcy. The Elliot's are a respected, titled, landowning family. Lady Elliot, Sir Walter's wife died 14 years ago and abandoned him with 3 daughters: Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. Mary is married to a wealthy man, and Elizabeth and Anne are single. Austen's Persuasion, depicts a young woman's struggle with love, friendship and family. Anne Elliot, who is beautiful and kind, had been previously engaged to Frederick Wentworth. Wentworth is a young naval officer. Anne had been persuaded by Lady Russel to end the engagement, because of his financial state and misunderstandings. In the novel, men and woman are represented as moral equals. Overall, throughout the split, Anne was miserable and tried to get him back.