Chen 1 Sunny Chen Ms.

Wilson AP English Literature and Composition 16 February, 2014 AP Open Question Essay #2: Persuasion 1987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the readers or audiences views. Avoid plot summary. The self-made man. This idea has been around for centuries; however, often times it was not accepted by society, especially in a world where aristocrats were born, not made. This is one of the revolutionary ideas Jane Austen embraces in Persuasion. Written in the last of her years, Persuasion marks a deeply sardonic story of Anne Elliot, who was persuaded out of emotional happiness because her love interest was not financially well-off at the time. Slowly, she rises from behind the shadows of her ostentatious family, finally reuniting with her love after overcoming turmoil and the dark motives of others. Through her journey, Austen advocates for society to let go of traditional values and customs in order to embrace the progressive ideas of social mobility, happy marriages, independence, and the breakdown of class divisions. Social class mobility is one of the biggest themes in the story; it is also one that is not represented by the main character, but rather by her love interest, Captain Wentworth. Austen uses the recurring symbol of the navy to represent class mobility and its implications towards the society Anne lives in. In the beginning of the story, Sir Walter comments that the navy is means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction (49). This shows how the navy

Chen 2 allowed people to climb the social ladder, something Sir Walter believes they are undeserving of. He has the old society mindset, as upper class people at the time were born into their rank. However, the other characters positive opinions towards the navy as a symbol of bravery and national pride serve to undermine such mindset. Once poor and with an uncertain future, Captain Wentworth is now described as the most eligible bachelor, with a glowing, manly, open look so different from Annes lost youth (86). Austen uses this symbolism to persuade her readers into embracing the idea of social mobility. With the idea of social mobility comes with the idea that class divisions can be overcome. Austen uses the sympathy from Mrs. Smiths misfortunes and her friendship with Anne to express that the rigidity of the past social hierarchy are beginning to fall. Mrs. Smith is a childhood friend of Annes, but has been met with a serious of unfortunate eventsfirst being left in debt by her extravagant husband, next being crippled by rheumatic fever, finally being excluded from society as a widow of the lower class (165). Nevertheless, Anne continues her friendship with Mrs. Smith, showing how material possessions do not make a person. This shows how Anne is able to deviate from traditional social views of the lower class, as she herself is part of the minor nobility. Her friendship with Mrs. Smith represents the decay of class barriers and discrimination that would hold them apart. This also provides a connection with any upper class readers of the time; Austen uses the idea that a lady like Anne could be friends with a poor widow like Mrs. Smith to advocate for the eventual breakdown of social class restrictions. Later, Mrs. Smith is ultimately the person that indirectly reveals Mr. Elliots schemes and machinations, as he was the one who had led [her husband] into expenses much beyond his fortune (214). Austen uses this to condemn the upper class for underhanded plots and lies, showing that the sincere onewhose actions eventually help Anne herself realize happiness with Captain

Chen 3 Wentworthis actually a person of the lower class. This further persuades readers to support the breakdown of class divisions by portraying the less fortunate of society in a positive light, giving them power as equals with the upper class in terms of morality. Austen urges society to let go of the traditional idea that the rich are the ones that should be listened to and the poor are the ones that should listen. Linking to class divisions, Annes unhappy eight years from when she was persuaded out of her engagement with Captain Wentworth was due to the fact that he had no family background, no stable future, and no money at the time; however, Anne is able to marry for happiness at the conclusion of the story, showing Austens belief that marriage should be for love and not wealth. Like her previous works, Austens writing is full of irony, except in Persuasion, it has an underlying tone of melancholy and regret. Despite her intelligence and wit, Anne is overlooked by her family and othersher words had no weight; her convenience was always to give way;--she was only Anne (37). Unlike her predecessors in Austens other works, Anne is already past the age of youth; she has just about given up on finding a future with a husband since she was urged away from Captain Wentworth, and those eight years since then have been stagnant for her. Austens use of irony here creates tension and uncertainty in Annes future as she is ruled over by the slow pace of social expectations. However, as the story progresses, it is her cleverness and level-headedness in helping Louisa that reignites her relationship with Captain Wentworth, whom she ultimately marries. This represents her overcoming the social barrier of money to reach happiness, and Austen uses their relationship to persuade readers to do the same. Ironically, as she marries Captain Wentworth, her family is struck by Mr. Elliots schemes, implying misfortune to those who still doggedly chase after

Chen 4 traditional values. Just as Anne leaves behind her family, Austen urges society to leave behind the old ways of thinking and embrace the new. Austens last book marks the turning of the era, a time where reform and change began to proliferate. Though not completely taken root, Austen realizes this in Persuasion and begins to hint at a better future, turning Annes sad, pedantic eight years since her engagement into a conclusion of spirit and happiness. Through the symbolism of the navy, Annes relationship with Mrs. Smith, and the overcoming of money for love, Austen expresses the idea that society should begin to abandon old ideas and look towards the brightness of the future.