The Role of Marriage in Persuasion - Essay Example

The Role of Marriage in Persuasion Jane Austen's writings, particularly her novel Persuasion, were significantly influenced by the cultural and historical context in which she lived. Themes of marriage are displayed in many of her works including Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Persuasion. Her views of the roles of the women were often those main characters who were often intelligent women being restrained by society. “Anne, like Elizabeth Bennet and Emma, finds herself in a society in which the full extent of her intellectual and moral qualities cannot find expression.” (Wolfe, 694). Austen was reared during the Victorian era and the role and status of women were extremely limited and stagnant. For example, women could not vote, they typically received an inferior education to their male counterparts and were limited to domestic occupations (Williams, 5). This is the context in which Persuasion was developed highlighting the prominent position that women have only two good choices in society - to get married or become a governess (Parkinson, 24). Though Austen acknowledges that marriage helps prevent loneliness and isolation, she also examines the failures of society’s perceptions of marriage which may create an intellectual isolation for women. This isolation that she recognizes, as Samuel Burchell tells us, is that “Jane Austen’s characters start in the primary condition of loneliness, pass through the difficulties of establishing the proper communication with others, and reach fulfillment in the symbolic union of marriage” (Burchell 149). Marriage is about many things in the Victorian society but it is rarely about love. For example, Anne's countenance is recognized by Captain Benwick in chapter 11 of Persuasion as it is he who found her "engaging mildness of her countenance, and gentleness of her manner" (Austen, 95) enough to instantly feel at ease; her brother-in-laws family, the Musgrove's, who claimed "We do wish that Charles had married Anne instead." (Austen, 84); and even the unacquainted cousin Mr. Elliot too had an instant attraction to Anne as he passed her during their stay in Lyme. Austen portrays Anne as essentially the epitome of goodness and kindness, but who isn't a very resistant person. She would more often than not succumb to the desires and needs to those around her in order to aid another or to keep the peace, as shown in chapter 4 when she allows Sir Walter and Lady Russell to dispel any notions of marriage to Captain Wentworth. It is this nature that is a desirable characteristic in a woman and a wife. Wentworth's entire character is full of conservative resistance. The main resistance Wentworth tries to overcome is his desire for Anne and the entire story is based around his resistance to requesting her hand in marriage again. Early in the story there is sense of monotony about the standard way of life as Austen uses repetition in here writing to persuade the reader of that sense of boredom. For thirteen years had she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at home, and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and dining rooms in the country. (Austen, 6-7) As the passage continues, there is a sense then of the repetition as we see the same thing happening for a span of over 13 years. What Austen wants the reader to see is how things will never change unless something drastic happens. As long as they follow the same routine, they can fake being happy. Thirteen winters' revolving frosts had seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood afforded; and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled up to London with her father, for a few weeks annual enjoyment of the great world. (Austen, 6-7) What is interesting about this passage is that Austen tends to avoid discussing the central character at the start of the novel and in this case is the early pages center on the vanity of her father as well as his contempt for those beneath him. These depictions set the tone for the environment in which Anne was raised. Often, marriage is about nothing more than money. Marriage is often arranged so that one partner can elevate social status. “Mr. Elliot wears mourning for the early demise of his wife (though for him this was a fortunate accident, as it leaves him to the enjoyment of the wife's fortune without the encumbrance of the wife).” (McMaster, 735). However, Austen tends to have a female character who transcends societal restraints on women. In Persuasion, this character is Anne. She is distinct from many of the other female characters who marry for the typical Victorian ideals. “All the previous heroines have had to learn how and whom to love. But Anne knew this all along.” (McMaster, 735). Austen’s key line defining the differences in approaches to marriage is apparent in Anne. “"She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older" (Austen, 30). However, this is not to imply that either society or Austen see these roles and rules of Victorian society as indestructible. Austen’s role as a novelist is focusing on those who rebel against the norm. “Of course, hierarchy in Austen's social world is much too complex to be reduced to a simple, binary opposition between masters and servants. Most individuals find themselves independent in relation to some (that is, above them) and dependent upon (or beneath) some others.” (Handler & Segal, 693). Also, women should not necessarily be confined to motherhood and the role of a wife does not always need to be for the role of child bearing as was traditionally the case. “This novel has not only its good and bad mothers to act as models for the outcomes of women's lives; it has what is very rare in Austen, a childless woman-the Admiral's wife-who has seemingly sublimated her childlessness in becoming her husband's active partner and companion.” (Myers, 231). Tim Fulford acknowledges Austen’s tendency to discuss social issues of her time as he states “critical inquiry into Jane Austen’s novels has come to focus upon their relationship to the social and political issues of a nation” (Fulford 152). In other words, her novels are demonstrating the need for radical change is society’s view of marriage as an institution used for gaining prestige. As Brown recognizes, “Jane Austen is sympathetic to the eighteenth-century feminist revolt against narrow male definitions of female personality and women’s education” (Brown 332). During this period, women obtain money either through inheritance or through marriage. As MacPherson notes, “Austen takes a great deal of time in the opening pages of the novel laying out the specifics of families' estates” (MacPherson 8). This theme is commonly presented in many of Austen’s novels including both Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice. Anne became more able to defend herself and ultimately to make her own decisions, as shown at the end of Persuasion in marrying Captain Wentworth and denying Mr. Elliot. Anne's moral values turn out to be a credit not only to her own character, as she faces the inevitable changes within, but to those around her who face changes by observing and benefiting from her moral values. Anne's moral examples include activities such as visiting Mrs. Smith who was classed by Sir Walter and Elizabeth as beneath their acquaintance as depicted in chapter 17 of Persuasion, caring for Luisa when she was injured and unwell - regardless of the fact that she had other things to attend and there were other people to care for her, caring for Mary's children and attending to household duties that Mary should have done; and listening to the problems and opinions of others - without saying her own opinion or thoughts, to name a few. A happy change is made by Lady Russell who observes Anne's kind qualities and un-judgmental manner. Lady Russell is observed as a great woman of vast knowledge and experience that makes excellent decisions, particularly for Anne as was demonstrated throughout chapter 2. “The journey is momentous even though the ground it covers is very small. As she goes, so she discovers a new set of values by which to live as one dependant among others.” (Pikoulis, 22). Lady Russell assumes she knows what's best for those around her and when presented with the true, unhappy character of Mr. Elliot and the true Mr. Wentworth, she quickly retracts what she has previously believed and is able to accept, which isn't an easy thing for her, the decisions that Anne has made, without her own influence. Lady Russell quickly learns that she does not know what is best for people and particularly for Anne as she has judged a book by its cover and been proven wrong. “Lady Russell's virtues may be real but she has failed to prove them against others. As a result, they have gone brittle. At the end, she is packed off with the advice to find herself a whole new set of opinions and the same may be said of the society she represents.” (Pikoulis, 24). It is these contrasting characters that are used to bring awareness to the reader of Austen’s true message which is to demonstrate how these morals and ethics based on class ruin society and ruin the concept of marriage. “Characters such as Sir Walter Elliot and Lady Russell assume that personal merit is a function of (ancestral) rank. Sir Walter, who cares only for rank and personal appearance, is presented-indeed, ridiculed-as hopelessly vain and foolish.” (Handler & Segal, 701).There are then characters she creates to directly juxtapose this position. “By contrast, Anne Elliot believes that personal merit confers, rather than follows, rank.” (Handler & Segal, 701). “Persuasion licenses female mobility by associating it-rather than the settled, homebound existence recommended by conduct literature-with virtue.’ (Sodeman, 792). The female characters in this novel are struggling to find their own identity while still remaining socially acceptable. For these women, there is a difficult effort to find freedom without being outcasts. As Sylvia Myers states, “Her heroines must attempt to preserve their sense of personal worth just as they are becoming aware of the need to fulfill their somatic destinies. Social obligations are often felt as threatening that mediation” (Myers 228). In other words, these women are trying to define their own sense of womanhood. What Austen does with her novels and characters, is demonstrate an alternative to the norm and to place emphasis on individuality. “Different perceptions of social status can be explored not only in terms of architectural images, but, at a different level of abstraction in terms of moral sensibility characters disagree both about how individuals ought to behave within the social hierarchy and about the very basis of rank-that is, about which attributes of individuals ought to determine their moral and social worth.”(Handler & Segal, 700). Jane Austen tends to provide meaning in her titles to help the reader understand the main theme of the novel and interestingly these title tend to be short and often only or two words. These title are meant to reflect what is being discussed but not necessarily what she wants the reader to think. For example, her title Pride and Prejudice tells us these exist in the novel but not what it means in the novel. It is simply a focal point for the reader. In Persuasion, there are different aspects of the term persuade. Lady Russell tried to persuade Anne one way who is trying to persuade Wentworth of something else. Yet, the reader needs to question why persuasion is important at all. “Austen's depiction of the persuasive process is an instance of her more general interest in the operations of the mind, dramatized typically as a conflict between what one wants to be true (desires or wishes) and what is.” (Walzer, 697). In other words, she wants her characters to turn the life they want into reality. For Anne this is ignoring the advice or persuasion of society as represented by Lady Russell, and following her heart and marry who she wants. In turn, she is persuading Wentworth to do the same. “Contrast these instances of persuasion and self-persuasion with Lady Russell's unsuccessful second effort to persuade Anne-to accept an expected proposal from her cousin, Mr. William Elliot. Lady Russell, the model persuader, proposes what to her appears the reasonable, prudent course, marriage to Mr. William Elliot, by appealing to Anne where she is most vulnerable, her moral passions-her sense of duty, especially to her family's future, her mother's memory, and her sense of obligation to Lady Russell herself.” (Walzer, 699). A unique characteristic of Austen's novels is that she makes efforts to describe the relationship between the genders on an equal level rather. Anne is not exception as serves as an example of the women Austen use to begin removing the constraints of what tends to be a society dominated by patriarchal tendencies. Austen struggles to propose a more balanced approach to life in which domestic duties are shared and woman are given a more equal role in the relationship and for this to happen, marriage needs to be based more on love and less as a business arrangement. For example, not all women want to be domestic and raise children. Anne is overwhelmed by extreme chaos of a loud home. “Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence which only numbers could give" (Austen, 60).” Austin writes with a strong intuition about her characters and life in general. Austen is not afraid to make truthful observations about love, marriage, pride, social class snobbery and financial considerations and speaks overtly about them through her characters. By showing Anne's subtlety of mind, kindness of person and loyalty in temperament with the final rectification to Mrs. Smith, Lady Russell's change of heart toward Wentworth would lead you to believe that change was possible in the society Austen portrayed. However, in the final chapter it is evident that Sir Walter, regardless of good moral values, will change - ever. It is fair to claim that in Persuasion Austen has proved that true moral values, regardless of resistance, can create change within any society, almost. These qualities are the foundations of their courtship and friendship and it is these attributes that will provide for a peaceful and lasting marriage based on love. For these women, there is a difficult effort to find freedom without being outcasts. The female characters in her novels tend to struggle to find their own unique identity and look to transcend gender and class and marry based on moral values, love and a mutual respect. This also exemplifies the importance Austen places on creating a relationship with your partner before marrying. This stated goal of marriage is an accurate reflection of the historical context in which the piece was written clearly depicting the importance of marrying and marrying well. Though Austen acknowledges the need for marriage to prevent isolation, she also examines the failures of society’s perceptions of marriage which may create an intellectual isolation for women. Works Cited Austen, Jane. Persuasion. Barnes and Nobles Books: New York, 2003. Print. Brown, Lloyd. W. “Jane Austen and the Feminist Tradition.” Nineteenth-Century Fiction 28.3 Dec. 1973: 321-338 jstor.org. Web. 9. Mar. 2011 Burchell, Samuel C. “Jane Austen: The Theme of Isolation.” Nineteenth-Century Fiction 10.2 Sep. 1955: 146-150 jstor.org. Web. 9. Mar. 2011 Fulford, Tim. “Jane Austen and Military Pride and Prejudice.” Nineteenth-Century Literature 57.2 Sep, 2002: 153-178 jstor.org. Web. 9. Mar. 2011 Handler, Richard and Daniel A. Segal. “Hierarchies of Choice: The Social Construction of Rank in Jane Austen.” American Ethnologist, Vol. 12, No. 4 (Nov., 1985), pp. 691-706. Web. 9. 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