An Analysis of Jane Austen’s Persuasion

Jane Austen Born on December 16, 1775 in

Steventon, England The seventh of eight children of

George and Cassandra Leigh Austen.

Her works include Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1816), Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (1818)

Writing Style of Jane Austen

Austen uses parody, burlesque, and irony. Her writings are satirical and is written mostly in conversations.

To fully understand her style in writing, here are some points from Persuasion that will show how Austen carried out the different styles.

Parody and Burlesque Her works are parodies and burlesque

of popular 18th century genres. Her burlesque is characterized trough mocking, exaggeration and displaced emphasis like when Admiral Croft can barely distinguish her daughters from one another and when she described the daughters as having “all the usual stock of accomplishments”.

Parody and Burlesque The use of parody and burlesque is

also for Austen to point out feminism to show how other novels wrapped the lives of women who attempted to live out the roles depicted in them.

Irony From chapter 1, we can see here that

the narrator called Sir Walter “a good father” which has another meaning intended to be relayed. We know that she’s being sarcastic to highlight that he is actually the opposite of this because he has been described previously as a “conceited silly father” and his behavior bears out this former.

Conversations

Distinctive Voice

Free Indirect Speech

Summary Anne Elliot had only one regret: that she listened to her family and broke off her engagement to Captain Wentworth. When he got back from the nave Anne persuaded him to love her again.

In the end, Captain Wentworth, greatly persuaded, reveals his feelings to Anne in a letter. She finds him and immediately responds that his love is requited. The Elliot family and Lady Russell no longer an objection to the match of Anne and Wentworth.

Literary Theories Realism opted for depictions of

everyday and banal activities and experiences, instead of a romanticized or similarly stylized presentation.

Feminism is the presentation of female experience in character and action, frequently pointing out the misrepresentation of female characters

Realism A great example from chapter 7,

Charles' fitness as a father is not called into question when he decides to go to dinner with the Musgroves rather than stay home with his sick son. However, when Mary wishes to do the same, her motherly instincts are criticised. This clearly shows the view of people before regarding females.

Feminism In Austen’s writings her main

character, Anne, has his own stand with things. Anne succeeded in finding her voice, using it, and being heard. We know her opinions, thoughts and feelings even when she doesn't voice them, because we see everything and everyone in the novel from Anne's perspective.

Thank you for listening.