Consider the implications of the title, Persuasion Essay -- English Li

Consider the implications of the title, Persuasion â€Å"Something intended to induce belief or action† is how the Oxford Dictionary defines the term persuasion. To consider the implications of the title successfully, it is essential that we first understand the term persuasion within the context of the novel. The Oxford Dictionary also defines the term ‘persuade’ as â€Å"to successfully urge a person to do; to talk into or out of an action†, â€Å"to attract, lure or entice† or as â€Å"to talk earnestly with a person to secure agreement or compliance.† By these definitions we can notice that the concept of persuasion is ever-present throughout Austen’s novel. One of Austen’s traits is that her titles appear to offer some indication towards subject content; ‘Sense and Sensibility’,’ Pride and Prejudice’ and in this novel; ‘Persuasion.’ The first of these titles seems to suggest a tone of appraisal and the second, a tone of condemnation. From this recognition, we can also notice that Austen’s novels deal with the concept of moral perameters. ‘Persuasion’ however, does not seem to provide a clear indication of the nature of the subject matter. Yet isn’t persuasion less of a moral concept than ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’? It seems therefore, that ‘Persuasion’ can be seen to challenge the idea of social class and position as opposed to the large issues of morality which are seen in ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’. We must not consider the implications of the title with a closed mind. When Jane Austen penned her last complete novel, ‘Persuasion’ could be interpreted in two different ways; a strong belief in the process of persuasion of one’s thinking and secondly, the act of being pers... ... Lady Russell’s moral inferiority as Anne â€Å"lost her bloom† due to the persuasion of Lady Russell. Idealised love is, in fact, performed away from the public in ‘Persuasion’ as we see that public interferences are able to turn relationships sour; â€Å"a short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one. Troubles soon arose, Sir Walter on being applied to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  From Anne and Wentworth’s lasting affection, we can see that most persuasion in the novel revolves around the concept of love. At the time of writing ‘Persuasion’, there had been a change in popular taste from Augustan values to Romanticism with its focus upon intense feelings. By carefully weaving between Romantic and Augustan values, Austen leaves it up to the reader to consider the case of romance between Anne and Wentworth, determining whether we find ourselves for or against persuasion.