Resumo de Persuasion - Jane Austen

Through her piercing social observation and subtly subversive style, Jane Austen drew from ordinary circumstances to produce extraordinary works of English literature.
Born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, England, Jane Austen was the seventh of eight children of George and Cassandra Leigh Austen. George Austen, born of the gentleman-farmer class, appreciated education and chose to study theology at Oxford. As rector of the parish in Steventon, George Austen instilled in his children respect for God, manners, and propriety. Yet the burden of so many children meant that money was tight for the Austen family. Education and learning were highly valued in the Austen home and Jane quickly imbibed a love for reading.
Both Jane and her sister Cassandra were mostly educated at home, though they spent a short period of time at Abbey School. Neither Jane nor Cassandra ever married, though they had early offers. Perhaps due to the added burden of finding a suitable mate within one's social class Jane Austen remained single. By the age of twenty-five, Austen had already written three novels, though Sense and Sensibility, Austen's first novel to be published, was not released until 1811. In the early nineteenth century, publishing was one of the few ways middle-class women could earn money, and Austen used her modest earnings to supplement her income. Two years later, her second novel, Pride and Prejudice (1813) was published and proved to be extremely popular, ending Austen's anonymity. Her next novel, Mansfield Park (1814), did not sell as well, and Austen followed it in 1816 with Emma, the last novel to be published before her early death. In failing health, Austen wrote her final novel, Persuasion, in under a year. Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were published posthumously in 1818.
Persuasion represents the maturity of Austen's work, and more than her other novels, evidences Austen's comic yet biting satire of the titled upper classes. Austen's final novel also stands out for the nationalistic pride expressed by the characters throughout the work. The reverence which Persuasion's female characters hold for the Naval officers reflects the esteem in which the Navy was held in Austen's day.
Persuasion opens with a brief history of the Elliot family as recorded in Sir Walter Elliot's favorite book, The Baronetcy. The Elliots are a respected, titled, landowning family. Lady Elliot, Sir Walter's wife died fourteen years ago and left him with three daughters: Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. Both Elizabeth and Anne are single, but Mary, the youngest is married to a wealthy man named Charles Musgrove; they live close by. Sir Walter, who lavishly overspends, has brought the family into great debt. When Lady Russell, a trusted family advisor, suggests that the Elliots reduce their spending, Sir Walter is horrified. They intend to rent the family estate, Kellynch Hall.
Sir Walter is relieved that the Admiral is a good-looking man. Though Sir Walter dislikes that the Navy brings "men of obscure birth into undue distinction," he is satisfied with Admiral and Mrs. Croft as tenants for his home. Anne Elliot, the Croft is the sister of the man Anne loves. Eight years ago, she was engaged to be married to Captain Frederick Wentworth, but Lady Russell persuaded her that Captain Wentworth was not of high enough consequence, and Anne called off the engagement. With the Crofts at Kellynch, Anne hopes to see Captain Wentwor th again.
Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Clay leave for Bath. Anne goes to stay with her sister Mary at Uppercross Cottage for a period of two months. Mary complains often and Anne patiently listens to her sister's worries. At Uppercross, Anne finds the Musgrove family absolutely delightful. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove have three grown children: Charles, Henrietta, and Louisa. Anne resigns herself to the idea that she has lost Captain Wentworth's lo ve forever.
Captain Wentworth blames himself for Louisa's fall and tries to help the Musgrove family. Anne returns to Uppercross to help Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove care for their younger children. After Christmas, Lady Russell and Anne decide that they must rejoin the rest of the Elliot family in Bath, much to Anne's dismay. Sir Walter and Elizabeth care little about her, but they are glad to have her come to Bath. In Bath, she is formally introduced to her cousin Mr. Elliot, who has made peace with his once estranged uncle, Sir Walter. While in Bath, Anne becomes reacquainted with an old school friend, Mrs. Smith, who has recently been widowed and fallen on hard times. From Mrs. Smith, Anne learns about Mr. Elliot's hidden past; she finds out that he has mistreated Mrs. Smith and that he plans to marry Anne to ensure that he becomes the sole heir of the Kellynch baronetcy. Mr. Elliot fears that Sir Walter will marry Mrs. Clay, have a son, and thereby deprive him of his title. He plots to ensure that he will remain Sir Walter's heir. Anne is appalled to hear this news.
Anne is thrilled and they become engaged. Mr. Elliot is shocked that his plan to marry Anne has been foiled. There is no longer any danger that Sir Walter will marry beneath his station. Sir Walter and Lady Russell give their approval for the marriage between Anne and Captain Wentworth.

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