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| Trafalgar Battle - 21st of October 180 - Situation at 13h By Nicholas Pocock, Public Domain https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=167242 |
"And who is Admiral Croft?" was Sir Walter's cold suspicious inquiry. Mr. Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman's family, and mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed, added-- "He is a rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I believe, several years." Persuasion chapter 3
Topic: A discussion of Persuasion led by Celia Easton
When: Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 1 pm
Where: Pittsford Barnes and Noble, Community Room
Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last complete novel. She finished it in August of 1816 and it was published in 1818. So this year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of that publication. JASNA CWNY will kick off the festivities with a discussion of Persuasion led by our own Celia Easton.
There is so much to talk about in this book. Celia has suggested a few things to consider. First, let's consider the Royal Navy. Great Britain was at war for most of Jane Austen’s lifetime. As Captain Wentworth’s employer, passion, and source of wealth, the Royal Navy figures prominently in Persuasion. In the quote above Anne Elliot refers directly to “the Trafalgar action”. This is one of the few direct references to military action in Jane Austen’s novels. (Is it the only one? Let’s discuss.) Aside from being Captain Wentworth’s profession, what role does the Royal Navy play in the novel? Why might Jane Austen have chosen the Royal Navy as such a central theme in this novel? What exactly happened at Trafalgar?
Second, we may consider Persuasion as an example of Jane Austen’s mature writing. On their website JASNA writes:
“Often described as “autumnal” in tone, Persuasion is the story of a mature heroine and second chances.” http://www.jasna.org/austen/works/persuasion/
Persuasion was written in what would turn out to be the autumn of Jane Austen’s life, and, as her last completed novel, represents the writing of a mature Jane Austen. In Persuasion Jane Austen makes dramatic use of free indirect discourse to show us what Anne Elliot is experiencing. How did Jane Austen's writing mature? How might Persuasion be compared to Northanger Abbey, which was published at the same time as Persuasion, but completed many years earlier?
Third, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars Great Britain was transforming into a modern nation. The empire was growing. New financial processes were in place to finance the wars, and Britain had mobilized her industry and agriculture to win a long and costly war. As Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth proceed toward “the comparatively quiet and retired gravel walk,” what cares and concerns will they face in the modern Britain? How does Jane Austen approach the changes that are occurring in Britain? Finally, what can we learn from Jane Austen to help cope with changes that are occurring today?
Of course we need not limit ourselves to these suggestions. A poll in 2008 showed that Persuasion is the second most popular of Jane Austen’s novels among Janeites (1). (No prize for guessing the most popular). What is it in Persuasion that appeals to you? Why might Persuasion be so popular? Is there anything you have always wondered about in Persuasion?
So many questions, so little time, but be assured that, while we may not find any answers, we will have some great conversation discussing these issues. As Anne Elliot says:
"My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company." Persuasion chapter 16.
Please join us for some of the best company to be found anywhere.
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| "I am half agony, half hope..." http://www.mollands.net/etexts/images/prsillus/prsbrockwc23.jpg |
