Friday, November 2, 2018
Due Thursday, November 8th - "Persuasion" by Jane Austen - Chapters 8-12, Pages 45-87
Directions: Please read Persuasion by Jane Austen - Chapters 8-12, Pages 45-87. This marks the end of Vol. I. In this blog space, please respond to the reading using direct evidence from the text. Give your opinion and use your knowledge of Pride and Prejudice and Austen's background. Remember to respond to each other. Give feedback. Ask questions.
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Due Thursday, June 13th - All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Mr. Pellerin's Survey of British Literature Class.
Overview : Go back to our first blog, and walk through the 2018-2019 school year. Revisit the books we read and our class responses. Look...
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Overview : We have read Chapters I – X, Book I of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice . Before we proceed, read the following piece by Sa...
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Directions : 1) Read Beowulf , pages 3-top of 57 (27 pages) – Fighting Grendel 2) Read Beowulf , pages 89-113 (12 pages) – Fighting G...
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Overview : Go back to our first blog, and walk through the 2018-2019 school year. Revisit the books we read and our class responses. Look...
In the chapters 8-12 Anne Elliot and Captain are now acquaintances and dine together multiple times. They for the most part do not interact with each other though. Captain Wentworth is staying in Kellynch for a little.This happens to be where Anne is staying. While Captain Wentworth is searching for the Musgrove sisters he runs into Anne and they are alone together in a room. Anne believes that Captain Wentworth doesn't love the Musgrove sisters and instead is just being civil towards them. Anne decides to leave her sister at Uppercross and go to Lady Russell in order to come in contact with Captain Wentworth more. Anne is most definitely still fond of captain Wentworth and it is obvious he still feels as well. Their feeling for eachother are almost subconsciously explained at times.
ReplyDeleteSo they didn't break up after all.
DeleteWell, they did break up but they are rekindling their old relationship.
DeleteWhen Frederick Wentworth first became a Captain, he commanded the H. M. S. Asp, a frigate in poor condition to operate. For whatever reason, the admiralty would "'entertain themselves now and then, with sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed'"(47). How is that supposed to be funny? The Asp is overdue for the scrap heap! Given the choice between the two of them, I'd voyage aboard the Millennium Falcon!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you?
DeleteIn chapters 8- 12 of Persuasion you could tell there is some tension going on between Anne and Captain Wentworth. They would pass by and see each other habitually at dinners or meetings, but they would never speak to each other, "Once so much to each other! Now nothing! . . . With the exception of Admiral and Mrs. Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy, there could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement" (46). You could really tell that Anne is quite despondent that she never accepted Wentworth' s proposal, and reflects on the real happy life that could have been hers is she accepted. Later on as the group pass by the Croft's carriage having space for one extra person, Captain Wentworth insists in Anne taking that extra spot, "Yes—he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to giver her rest. . . . It was a remainder of former sentiment; it was an impulse pure, though unacknowledged friendship; it was proof of his own warm and amiable heart, which she could not contemplate without emotions so compounded with pleasure and pain, that she knew not which prevailed" (67). This shows that even Anne and Wentworth aren't in a good place right now he still cares and tries to show some compassion.
ReplyDeleteWould you agree that the tension is similar to the tension between Elizabeth and Darcy?
DeleteI feel like once you fall in deep love with someone, there's nothing that can change it. I agree with Rachel; perhaps this will be a similar relationship where the female first denies the male, then later changes her mind and accepts him, just like what Mr. Collins says about women playing hard to get.
DeleteIt would be interesting if Austen had them get close to getting back together but ultimately fail. Sometimes things in life just don't work out.
DeleteChloe Hanrahan
ReplyDeleteOml these two are such teenagers! I swear the way they act the exact way I have seen so many of my friends act. Captain Wentworth is the teenager like "I don't want to like them, but I want to know absolutely everything about them, but I swear I don't like them..." (not believable). And Anne is the type of teenager that would never ever say anything to the person they like over fear of rejection. I feel bad for Anne because if she had said yes all those years ago she'd be happy, but I also think with Captain W.'s opinion that women should not be on ships that she wouldn't be happy. I think this because I feel like Anne would get bored waiting for him to come home.
The mention of how the Crofts steer their carriage is a good was a really good plot devise for Austen to use. It helped show us what Anne hoped for. I find that in Austen's novels the female protagonists tend to be more progressive and their love interests and advisories are more traditional. The protagonists are always to have an effect on the people around them and change their minds on how the world is suppose to works, Austen did this to get people who are thinking traditionally when reading her novels to go through the same transition through her leading lady.
ALSO, there feels like Anne has so happy love interests and opportunities! I'm confused...
I agree their acting just like teenagers! I guess our behaviors towards our crushes hasn't changed much over time.
DeleteI totally agree about them acting exactly like teenagers! They literally act the same way as some of my friends so it's so relatable for me.
DeleteThank god that the chapters are not labeled in roman numerals!! That is probably the biggest complaint I have for Pride and Prejudice. Anyways, I find it funny that Anne and Benwick talk about dark poetry and have a bond over their depression, “...he repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness...” (pg. 74.) If there was any ship to sail I hope Benwick and Anne sail off together. Unlike Pride and Prejudice, this book talks about boats and ships quite often which made me think during Jane Austen’s 10 year hiatus she sailed on a ship with another man.
ReplyDeleteJust what did the Roman numerals have to do with it, anyway.
DeleteI agree! The roman numerals in P&P became so annoying.
DeleteI think that the idea that she went sailing with a man during her break is an interesting idea, or she was in love with a sailor herself and used Persuasion as a way to impress him maybe.
DeleteI mean, why do any of you have a problem with them?
Delete@Owen they cause me confusion!
DeleteWhy don't you go and practice?
DeleteI = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1000. Examples of other rules: IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40 XLIX = 49, XC = 90, CD = 400, CM = 900. III = 3 XXX = 30, CCC = 300, MMM = 3000. VV is not 10, that's X. And that's about it for roman numerals if you can do the rest with logical reasoning.
DeleteThere is so much tension between Anne and Wentworth these chapters! It’s so obvious that they both still love each other but they’re both so awkward to do anything about it. In the beginning of chapter 8, it is discussed how they are now seeing a lot more of each other. I can relate to Anne’s realization of how little she knows Wentworth now. “Now they were as strangers, nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted” (46). When you lose touch with someone that was once so important to you, and then you experience them again at a later time, it’s incredible to see how one person can go from friend to stranger so fast. She thinks about how he sounds the same when he talks and has the same mind, but that he is a different Wentworth than the one she knew before. They’re acting like simple teenagers with a crush and that makes this book interesting to read because I can heavily relate to Anne’s feelings of Wentworth. But I was pleasantly satisfied when they finally talked to each other! Mary was annoying me a lot but her persistent annoyance managed to put Wentworth and Anne together. I loved how he pulled a Darcy and “gave her a momentary glance, -a glance of brightness” (77). I wasn’t too engrossed in this book at the beginning, but it suddenly become super relatable and I’m interested in seeing how Anne’s story plays out.
ReplyDeleteYes quite a bit of tension, with love underneath
DeleteThese chapters made me laugh. Mostly because of the way Wentworth and Anne act around each other. I feel like as a high schooler its relatable in the nature of their relationship and how they feel awkward and tense around each other. The part that I found so funny and very relatable was when Wentworth went looking for Miss Musgroves and found himself alone with Anne. He felt so awkward and "deprived his manors of their usual composure... he could only say, 'I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here...'"(57). He had to compose himself because his nerves were so out of whack. Like what Chloe brought up, it feels very high school. Its like the guy asks the girl out but she turns him down and now they have to work on a project together, but these are grown adults. This reminds me of how Darcy would act around Elizabeth when he realized he was in love with her and after he proposed to her.
ReplyDeleteChloe Hanrahan
DeleteToo real Cora... too real lol
I found it interesting how in the beginning of chapter 9 it said "Mr Hayter had some property of his own, but it was insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove's; and while the Musgroves were in the first class of society in the country, the young Hayters would, from their parents' inferior, retired, and unpolished way of living, and their own defective education, have been hardly in any class at all". I saw how the novel was beginning to show people's social class, as it says that the Hayters are so below them that they would be of almost "no class." Also, later in this chapter, it begins to talk about Captain Wentworth and which girl he would choose, which is very similar to Pride and Prejudice as to how the Bennet sisters wanted to marry. In chapter 11, the novel said "He had been engaged to Captain Harville's sister, and was now mourning her loss." This was in introducing Captain Benwick. He was also described as "an excellent young man and an officer." This description and the introduction of a single man into the novel could be foreshadowing a single man looking to marry. Although at this point in the novel he seems too distraught about the loss of his wife to be thinking of remarrying, I think that overtime he might become a good suitor for one of the Musgrove daughters.
ReplyDeleteI think Captain Benwick was also fond of Anne after she took interest in his poetry, and I could see him proposing to her further on in the reading.
DeleteI also feel the same way that he may propose, I felt they had a connection but I think she will decline because she still loves Captain Wentworth.
DeleteOkay fools this novel is actually looking very promising. We had a very nice section to read full of mood swings, carriages, and the excessive bringing up of Lyme. Captain Wentworth and Anne are a huge will they won't they right now. Anne is a little down about herself and she reads a lot into what Captain Wentworth does and how he acts towards her. On page 67, after Captain Wentworth helps Anne onto the carriage, we get a little peek into her head. "Yes, he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give her rest."(67) This is a wonderful passage because it makes it extremely clear that Anne is into Captain Wentworth, because Austen would not put this passage in if she didn't like him. I could not find the specific passage, but later Anne is troubled over how she doesn't think Wentworth likes her anymore. I'm still trying to read into Captain Wentworth's affection. I am leaning more towards yes because after Anne was hurt, it was Captain Wentworth who volunteered to take her back to the inn. I cannot say for sure that he likes her because of this, mostly because I would probably also offer to carry her back because that is the right thing to do. I'm excited to see where this goes; I'm hoping that Wentworth and Anne fall in love because I could use a story like that right now.
ReplyDeleteDon't count on it. It's unlikely that anybody will live happily ever after by any means. This book is depressing.
DeleteBut Owen I feel like Jane wants to give Anne the happy ending she wasn't getting.
DeleteThis novel is also very promising to me!! I totally agree with the "will they, won't they?" situation, much more so than Darcy and Elizabeth ever had. The tension is comparable.
DeleteThanks Owen, very optimistic!
Delete@Allison way more interesting than Darcy and Elizabeth too because there are more intricacies in Anne and Wentworth.
DeleteAre you suggesting that I'm a mean one?
DeleteA mean one as in "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters, it focuses a lot on the relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth. The Musgrove sisters remind me a lot of Bingley's sisters, because they are very competitive about finding suitable husbands and Henrietta starts to act different towards Hayter when Captain Wentworth is around. Anne seems very down about herself now that she is in the company of Wentworth again. However, I am beginning to see a shift in the Captain's feelings toward Anne now that they are together again. I think that the Captain still does have feelings for Anne, shown in his actions like when he helped her get Walter, a little boy, off of her after he playfully began to wrestle her. She was very grateful towards Wentworth, "His kindness in stepping forward to her relief-the manner-the silence in which it had passed-the little particulars of the circumstance-with the conviction soon forced on her by the noise he was studiously making with the child, that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks.." I think this could be a romance like Darcy and Lizzy, because Wentworth's prejudices toward Anne seem to be fading. I'm looking forward to see whether Anne and the Captain end up falling in love, and I think Henrietta will end up marrying Mr Hayter.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that Anne and Wentworth's connections are somewhat similar to the relationship of Darcy and Lizzy after Lizzy denied his first proposal, albeit less awkward. I think that Anne is only feeling down when she sees Wentworth because of the guilt she feels when she rejected him the first time several years ago.
DeleteI can definitely see it being similar to Lizzy and Darcy as well.
DeleteI agree with you on how much Anne and Captain Wentworth's relationship is similar to Darcy and Lizzy. I feel like Jane Austen wouldn't have them fall in love because that would be a repeat of Pride and Prejudice and it doesn't seem like she is the author who does that.
DeleteThese chapters, as many others have noted, have revolved around Captain Wentworth and Anne with the extra additions of Henrietta and Louisa. Since the relationship between Captain Wentworth and Anne is now nothing but feelings of animosity (perhaps not to a large extent), Henrietta and Louisa have popped up to try to take her place in Wentworth's heart. I found it funny when Mary was almost in a way debating with her husband Charles Musgrove over which one Captain Wentworth favors. “Henrietta was perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not now, whether the more gentle or the more lively character were most likely to attract him” (54). The chapters then continue with awkward scenes that continuously put Captain Wentworth with Anne, making the atmosphere for the two very uncomfortable. It was somewhat humorous that Anne, who was wanted to avoid Wentworth as much as possible, declined going to the dinner held by the Musgroves because “She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth" (56). These strange situations of love really seem to complicate the plot. I wonder who Captain Wentworth will choose in what seems to be the near future.
ReplyDeleteI do like that in its similarity to Pride and Prejudice is that even though it is more serious, they both contain a light, love element.
DeleteIn the following chapters, Captain Wentworth and Anne, being increasingly in each other's company, are are developing an enjoyment of each others presence, if it is not love. However, during such times, there are still disparities between social classes, such that "the Hayters are in an “inferior, retired and unpolished way of living”. Also, like what Izzy writes, there are certain situations that are awkward for both Captain Wentworth and Anne.
ReplyDeleteThe admiral and Mrs.Croft have a surprising relationship. I have never seen a couple that worked together so well in literature. Mrs.Croft as a character is also very progressive considering the time period. Mrs.Croft proudly declared that “in the fifteen years of my marriage… I crossed that Atlantic four times” and that “any reasonable women may be perfectly happy in one of them[frigate]”(51). Very few people would would think of women as explorers in this era yet Austen created a character that was. Another thing that surprised me was the accident with the stairs. Louisa was described as having “no wound, no blood, no visible bruise” and yet Mary was screaming “She is dead! She is dead!”(81). I first thought that everyone was overreacting but the head trauma turned out to be serious. This acted as a pretty good cliffhanger since this event could completely alter the character relationships.
ReplyDeleteI think she has a concussion.
DeleteAlright gang, let's talk Persuasion. The abundance of the various forms of the word is astonishing, if not overbearing. And I already see the big problem: Lady Russell. Though she's only mentioned just before the group head to Lyme, as Anne is due to be in her company, she is the main factor in this persuasion. I understand that she is looking out for Anne and she has standards that make much more sense to people of their class in that time period, but just the idea of such puppeteering dissuades any good opinion to be had currently. Anne is so clearly enraptured by Wentworth, and since these are the same affections she had when she was young, I cannot believe that Lady Russell would persuade Anne as she did. Being such a close person, Lady Russell must have known how deeply Anne felt for him and to still act to prevent that union just disconcerts me.
ReplyDeleteMoving on, these chapters were quite exciting. I found it interesting that Jane Austen wrote Anne as the singular good sister, with Mary being a whiny, nearly spoilt child and Elizabeth being a self-entitled, spoilt older woman. In Pride and Prejudice, we see the close connection that Lizzy feels with Jane, that they confide in each other very much so. But in Persuasion, "Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell on Anne" (79). Anne has no confidant as Lizzy did. I find that quite abnormal, as she wrote in sister relationships in Pride and Prejudice as well as some of her other novels, but not Persuasion. I wonder if that has to do with it being her last novel, or a later novel, or maybe even to affect the tone and weight of the novel?
And oh my, Louisa, what have you done? I do dislike her for capturing Wentworth's eyes, even for a moment, though I know Anne is ever his eternal flame. But I pity her youth, which seems so brilliant in the story. She is blissfully ignorant and all she can see is a handsome older man and I can feel the dreams being shattered later on in the story (RIP). I worry for her, as she "had received a severe contusion" (83), and that could mean concussion, amnesia, loss of brain stuff, more science technical terms but it's not good. Like when Michelle fell off the horse in the last 2 episodes of Full House and got amnesia and various medical dramas, we know this sort of accident does not help the situation. Though it does help Wentworth see Anne's appeal once more, as his "eyes were also turned towards her" (82) in time of crisis. Which is amazing, by the way, that Anne is so calm in such a storm of a situation. Everyone takes dear Anne for granted and I won't have any of it. If I hear anyone badmouth Anne, I'll throw hands because she's an actual angel.
Another topic for discourse: Is this a harem? Okay, but seriously. The list of Anne's "suitors" has grown. First, Captain Wentworth. Next, Charles Musgrove. Third, Captain Benwick. Latest, Mr. Elliot, heir to the Elliot property. He was enchanted, as discerned that "he looked at her with a degree of earnest admiration" (77), which makes WENTWORTH look at her and think "'That man is struck with you, -- and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again'" (77). Like Anne's vacation vibes are attracting all the men. She gets Captain Benwick out of his shell and into conversation, which is her own kindness because she's an amazing person. She has Wentworth and Elliot looking at her because "her very regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind which had been blowing on her complexion" (77). I wish she could have such a prime for longer, because she deserves it y'all. Anyways, that's it from me, I'm UPSET that they had to leave Lyme because of the injury of Louisa since Anne was THRIVING but hopefully, she finds her place on top once more.
I totally agree with you about how Lady Russell such an important character that isn't talked about much right now. I think she will probably come back and mess a lot of things up.
DeleteHaha I love that you referenced Full House
DeleteLady Russell has got to be ready to tussle with me.
DeleteFull House has infinitesimal use, as it is the best family sitcom in existence.
DeleteI thought it was interesting how in the beginning of the chapters we read, the situation with Captain Wentworth is so awkward for Anne. Austen writes, "Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement" (46). It is interesting because she still has to engage in conversations with him. Nowadays people have phones and use their phones to avoid awkward situations. We look down at our phones to avoid conversation and awkwardness. Anne has it hard, and this is something that our generation doesn't experience often because of technology. Through these chapters I also just feel really bad for Anne. The quote "On its being proposed, Anne offered her services, as usual, and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed, and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved." (52) made me really sad. Anne is in a situation where she is being tormented here and can't escape it. Luckily throughout these chapters Captain Wentworth and Anne did warm up to each other a little and started to have more conversations. A question that I had is, why does Wentworth say that woman shouldn't be on ships? I guess he is a little sexist, which is not very unusual for this time period. Also, one last thing that I would like to point out is how perfect Mr. and Mrs. Croft are together. I think that this was what Jane Austen secretly wanted in life.
ReplyDeleteAbout your first question I was wondering the same thing. In the text his expantation was a little sexist. I wonder while Jane Austen did that?
DeleteJane Austen was pointing out the sexism, and I congratulate her for that.
DeleteAlot happened in the chapter we just read we had alot of characters introduced and plot things happening. First I want to talk about Captain Betwick. He is such a shy and nice guy and am really happy they get along and Anne can really speak to him and be appreciated. I hope they stay friends and maybe start a book/poetry club :). Capain Wentworth's "warm praise of him as an excellent young man and officer"(71) while Anne thought him to have "a pleasing face and melancholy air, just as he ought to have and drew back from converation"(72) showing how he change after him fiance's death. Next about the fall it is still a little consfusing and I think Mr.Wentworth is not to blame actually I think know one is to blame but herself. For a min I thought she was dead bout I guess it was like she indented her head so there was not blood ? I think the funny thing when all of this was happening was mary. Charles wintessed "the hysterical agitations of the wife, calling him for help which he could not give."(82) I thought is was funny because I picture louise on the floor Charles with her and Mary being like Ohh my nerves Charles help me my nerves! It was a good read and am excited for the next set of chapters.
ReplyDeleteShe could've gotten a concussion from that.
DeleteDid anybody know what those were yet?
DeleteThis is why you don't jump from such heights, you might smash yourself to bits.🚧🚧🚫⛔🚧🚧
DeleteAnd I thought little Charles falling from that tree would be a lesson to them all, but apparently not. This is how it's going to end, everybody will fall to their deaths!
DeleteTo be honest, I feel like Captain Wentworth is rushing into things with Louisa and Henrietta, especially with Louisa. Before she lost consciousness, Wentworth and Louisa were having their fun and Frederick realizes that it might not be safe for Louisa to jump again, but refused and said that “[she was] determined” (81).This may be a sign of foreshadowing for how the relationship between Wentworth and Louisa will not be a good one. Also, I think that their relationship feels somewhat rushed into, only being flirtatious, and not being serious about marrying the other person. In Pride and Prejudice, a similar scenario happens when Lydia runs away with Mr. Wickham and not being serious about getting married until they are forced to, at least Wickham was anyways. When it comes to characters like Lydia, Louisa, and Henrietta, they rush into their feeling too quickly and don’t really consider either the consequences of their actions or how it will affect others around them. I don’t think Jane was the kind of person to be persuaded so easily, considering she didn’t marry and only did things her way, but she may have encountered people when they’re persuaded by their feelings easily and not give a second thought on their decisions.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Wentworth is trying to rush into a relationship with one of them as sort of a rebound from Anne and to try to get over his feelings for her
DeleteI really liked how you related Louisa's fall to her and Wentworth's relationship. They might have their fun, but in the end it won't work out.
DeleteThe problem was that he triple-dog-dared her to leap off of that drop.🚧🚧⛔🚫⚠⚠⚠
DeleteNikita Orbits
ReplyDeleteI found many things to be interesting in this section of reading. One thing that struck me very well was the coming together of different economic classes. It was shown in Pride and Prejudice that displeasure was shown to people who didn’t have money or people who had many, but in Persuasion it looks like the beginning of a new era where people are able to come together no matter where they stand. For example Mrs. Musgrove and Mrs. Hayter are both sisters. Mrs. Musgrove are better off than the Hayters, but that doesn’t hurt their relationship as sisters. However in Pride and Prejudice, when Lydia got married she felt as though she was better than every one of her sisters and made sure they knew about it (this might just be her trying to act up because she is a lot younger than her sisters and is the first one married). Another time in this section of reading where this is shown is during the visit to the Harvilles. It is said that they have small house but Anne described it as “a moment’s astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost in the pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville.” I feel like Jane Austen is trying to show that people shouldn’t be separated by things such as social class anymore.
This volume ended on a very heightened moment of suspense for the characters. There was a lot of tension in the air as to what must be done to help poor Louisa after her fall. However, what captivated me most about this section of reading was the tension between Captain Wentworth. It was expressed in the way that Anne could see Wentworth's expression showed some hatred towards Richard, however, "...it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected by any who understood him less than herself;"(49). Also, Captain Wentworth even showed his empathy towards Anne's fatigue during their long walk and asked his sister to insist upon giving her a ride home. However, though they both share a common understanding of each other's feelings, and personalities, neither seem to know what to next in the interest of their lack of partners. Anne especially is expressing a strong sense of solitude in her countenance. For example, while playing the piano in the company of Captain Wentworth and the Musgroves Anne's "fingers were mechanically at work, proceeding for half and hour together, equally without error, and without consciousness"(52). This description made me shiver. I compared Anne in my mind as some sort of zombie-like figure monotonously playing the piano while staring at nothing. However, then, I re-approached her character and felt pity on her. For, though she was a perfect beautiful player, she had forgotten how to love and how to feel the music. I noticed through the novel that Captain Wentworth does not share this lack of emotion as Anne does (after their breakup.) I wonder if these two opposite personalities (seemingly known so well by the other) will complete each other or if Anne's solitude and independence will scare away Wentworth into thinking his sentiments are no longer wanted nor acknowledged by her. However, so far I have not yet seen Anne show any direct affinity for Wentworth, her behavior on the piano directly proved to me that she was in need and desired emotion and real love in her life. The kind she had found years ago with Wentworth, and the kind she had never been able to receive from her own family. Whether this love is coming from Captain Wentworth, Benwick or another, I just know she is in desperate need of it before the bloom of her personality soon dies along with her hopes of finding a partner.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Anne shows strong solitude and she thrives off being sad because she is extra
DeleteOverall, I found these chapters to be really entertaining just based off of how melodramatic the characters were acting at all times. When they were in Lyme and Louisa decided that she wanted to jump down the stairs with the help of Captain Wentworth, she decided she wanted to jump down again after she had already done it once before and she fell. Immediately after she fell and was lying on the ground, “‘She is dead! She is dead!’ screamed Mary, catching hold of her husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him immoveable” (81). Instead of going to her to see if she has a pulse or any other signs of life, they start to scream and break down. Even with Captain Wentworth, who is in the navy and therefore should be able to react calmly under pressure, the first words that he said were “‘Is there no one to help me’... in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength were gone” (81). These reactions were just so dramatic that I could not help but laugh, despite the situation.
ReplyDeleteSeparately, I thought that there was a considerable amount of tension between Captain Wentworth and Anne which was similar to that between Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. They also seemed to act a lot time teenagers with their clear feelings of jealousy when the other spoke to someone else. Anne and Wentworth take lengths to avoid seeing each other and talking to each other, however they still harbor those jealous feelings. When Anne was checked out by a gentleman while on a walk with the others, “Captain Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way in which shewed his noticing of it. He gave her a momentary glance,–a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, ‘That man is struck with you,–and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again’” (77). With these looks, he seems to be a little jealous, but he also shows how he still cares for her and she seems to becoming happier again as she was when she was with him before. Despite their efforts, neither of them seems that they have been able to get over when occurred before and still not so secretly have care for each other.
I totally agree with the melodrama. Acting rationally seems to be out of their scope, though it is to both our horror and humor.
DeleteI also think that Louisa is like Lydia in a way because they are very quick witted in their decisions, especially when it comes to love.
DeleteI feel that as the book progresses more and more I can find more similarities and differences between this novel and Pride and Prejudice. One example of this is that as time goes Captain Wentworth reminds me more of a Mr. Bingley type character with him being nice to the Musgroves even though he isn't in love with them. This shows that he's generally a nice person and is generally liked by others. It differences in many ways such as it being a more grim tale and that the situation of the protagonist seems more unlikely to succeed.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like this novel is rich with tension. There is always tension between all of the characters at all time maybe because of class, their desires etc. This is most prominent between Anne and the Captain because they both very obviously like each other.
ReplyDeleteAnne and Captain Wentworth seem to be cooking up a bit of a relationship type thing. I can relate to the strange experience of once having such powerful feeling and attachment for someone, but passing each other without a word. Even if you want to talk it seems wrong somehow. "Once so much to each other! Now nothing! . . . With the exception of Admiral and Mrs. Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy, there could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now they were as strangers" So I’m happy they seem to be figuring there stuff out and getting over it.
ReplyDeleteAlso Jane Austen's writing has a fascinating way of being relatable. Even though she wrote all this nearly 200 years ago, we all understand and love her books. The hardest thing in art it to make it timeless so it’s really impressive that she pulled that off.
I love the Admiral and Mrs. Crofts relationship, it isn't very often we get to see a functional relationship in one of Austen's novel, so I found these two characters sweet and refreshing from the sometimes depressing life of Anne. Their relationship doesn't just stand out in an Austen novel, but was incredibly ahead of its time for Jane's generation. They rely on each other for happiness and leave roles of how a husband and wife should act behind, and I love that Jane worked this concept into her final novel .
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