Jane's Austen's Use of Realism in "Persuasion" Essay

John Locke once said, “I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts,” and this statement couldn’t be truer. In her novels, Jane Austen uses a similar technique to bring her characters to life and make them more relatable to her readers; thus providing a window into the characters’ inner ideals. In one of her masterpieces, Pride and Prejudice, we especially see Austen’s brilliant characterizations into play that speak volumes of insight into society and human nature. More specifically, Austen ingeniously uses Elizabeth Bennet’s actions, her words, her outlook on others, and her comparison with other characters to display Austen’s own innate ideologies.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen expresses the powerful narrative voice. The narrative voice that she uses is different from other novels. Most authors try to hide their presence in their novels but Jane Austen does not try to hide her presence. Her presence in the novel is so clear. For example, “The advantages of natural folly in a beautiful girl have been already set forth by the capital pen of sister author, and her treatment of the subject I will only add” (Austen 81). She tries not to trick her reader as he/she reads the novel. Instead she informs the reader that the book itself is just a novel. Her purpose is not to convince the reader and correct her story, but to understand the imperfection of language because language does not

Johnson evaluates that each character serves a role not only in the narrative, but more importantly as manifestations of Austen's own social commentary of her era and social/political

Jane Austen composes the main protagonist, Elizabeth, as a mature and haste thinker with the purpose of juxtaposing Lydia's brashness and lack of foresight. The most obvious place that Austen instills this juxtaposition is when the author presents readers with a comparison between the events leading up to Lydia's marriage, to those of Elizabeth, readers find that Austen crafts Lydia

Jane Austen, author, successfully used the literary technique of sentence structure (or syntax) to showcase identity in Pride and Prejudice. Austen uses an extremely characteristic voice in order to construct an authentic selfhood. Austen gives each character a distinct voice, sentence structure, and communication style.

In Persuasion, by Jane Austen, there are many exceptional characters. Perhaps two of the most memorable are Sir Walter Elliot, and his daughter, Anne Elliot. These characters are well shaped and have something about them that transcends time and social class, enabling readers of the all ages, to feel they have something in common with them.

Jane Austen's intelligence and sophisticated diction made her a revolutionary author, and her mastery surpasses most modern authors. By challenging conventional stereotypes in her novels, she gives the open-minded reader a new perspective through the message she conveys. Her first novel, Northanger Abbey, focuses on reading. However, she parallels typical novel reading with the reading of people. Catherine Morland's coming of age hinges on her ability to become a better reader of both novels and people.

In the early 1800s Jane Austen wrote what would be her last novel, Persuasion. Persuasion is set during the “Georgian Society” which greatly affects the character's views and actions throughout the novel. Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth quickly fell in love when Anne was just nineteen years old, but because he wasn't wealthy enough, Anne was not given the permission by her father, Sir Walter, to marry him. Eight years after this incident, the roles have reversed; Sir Walter has lost all of his money and Frederick Wentworth is now known as Captain Wentworth. Throughout the novel, Anne tries to overcome struggles with social class in order to fulfill her longing of being with Captain Wentworth. Therese Anderson's statement about the

The well-loved English novelist, Jane Austen, was a 20th century woman born 150 years ahead of her time, a modern individual living in an age when female social conformity was demanded, original thinking frowned upon and creativity discouraged among young women. Jane Austen lived and wrote at a time when the upper woman of 18th century England was governed by a strict code of conduct that extended all walks of life. Women are expected to be virtuous, submissive, modest, concealing to their intelligence and abilities and leaving matters of science, philosophy, politics and business to more intelligent and better-informed gentlemen. Jane Austen broke the traditional mould of feminine conformity. She published six novels under a pen name.

“And what are you reading, Miss—?" "Oh! it is only a novel!" replies the young lady…in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humor are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.” (Austen 66)

Diction contributes inseparably to the characterization of both Emma and Harriet, and hence Austen's prioritization of the character traits of Emma. In paragraph one, Emma is described as "[knowing Harriet] very well by sight", and having "long felt an interest in [her] on account of her beauty". Thus, it follows that Emma has long admired and taken an interest in Harriet, which implies a strong connection between the two. Though Emma herself is not described in exhaustive detail, all of Harriet's traits transfer over to her, as well as her own details that add to her personal character. From paragraph two onward, the author

Jane Austen impacted the world of literature in more ways than one. Museums located around the United Kingdom are dedicated to her works which many people still enjoy to this day. Audiences around the world continue to read the love stories she shared many years ago. She portrayed a sense of female strength and hefty feelings of true love in her writing. Austen’s wording and her particular writing style are recognizable among those who enjoy 18th century literature, her distinct approach to the realities of the time is one reason her fan base has grown over the years. Jane Austen pioneered romantic literature because she was among the first authors to write a happily ever after type story, and she used her work to portray this feeling

Many readers of Persuasion believe Austen uses the namesake “persuasion” too neutrally. She appears to passively describe the results when the protagonist is persuaded to abandon Wentworth’s first proposal, but actually has much to say on being persuadable, and mainly argues that it is not inherently wrong. Persuasion in the novel’s early chapters works in two forms: as an overpowering force on the foolish like Sir Walter, or as an important voice to consider such as when Lady Russell opposed Anne’s engagement. These forms are often grouped together under the greater theme of social influence, and are treated like they run along the same spectrum where the first is negative and the second positive, suggesting the trait balances out into a neither bad nor good thing. However the value of persuasion is not determined in isolation. It depends on the other characteristics of the individual, because in Sir Walter it reveals undesirable weakness, and in Anne intelligence and pragmatism. The given extract well represents the aims of the whole novel, as here Austen explicitly reflects on persuasion and how it is anything but a neutral social influence.

      In Jane Austen's Persuasion, Mrs. Croft makes but few appearances and delivers little dialogue.  Nevertheless, Austen gives her significant narrative and thematic importance.  Mrs. Croft provides a foil for several of the Elliots, while developing a commonality with the frequently ostracized Anne.  This bond between Mrs. Croft and Austen's heroine valorizes Mrs. Croft's radical views concerning feminism and marriage.  Beyond signifying a paradigm shift in such social morals, though, the roles of Admiral and Mrs. Croft allow Austen to subvert the dominant upper class culture.  By exhibiting superior but genuine manners, by demonstrating the complacency

Jane Austen, considered one of the most famous Romantic writers during her time, was praised for her ability and skill to write a good characterization. Persuasion, one of the most famous novels by Austen, is a good example of writing in which depicts her use of characterization and use of ironic styles in social relationships between classes in a society. In Persuasion, Austen uses attractive plots, different types of conflicts, rich characterization, and unique style to portray the emotions and the actions of the characters.