Questions for Chapters 9-16 of “Persuasion”
1)This section opens with Louisa and Henrietta vying for the eye of Captain Wentworth. What does their maneuvering and the Captain’s reaction say about marriage, romance, and status? Did you feel that this contrasted with the Crofts’ marriage?
2) Did you think that Austen effectively told the back-story of Anne’s relationship with Charles, and what did you think of Anne eavesdropping?
3) Chapter 11 ends with, “When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct would ill bear examination.” What did you think of her interaction with Captain Benwick?
4) When the novel was originally published, it was in two sections. Section I ended with Louisa’s injury and was considered to be a “cliffhanger” (source, Sparknotes online) would it have enticed you to buy the second section? What did you think of Mary’s reaction to Louisa’s injury?
5) Austen uses the imagery of autumn several times in this section. Why?
6) What do you think of the return of Mr. Elliot, his motives, and of a potential match with Elizabeth?
7) This was quite a meaty section. What did I miss?
posted by Mimi @ 3/09/2012 03:58:00 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
I went back and re-read this section before answering the questions, as when I read online some of the chapter summaries I was surprised at what I’d missed. It was more satisfying the second read, although it was not unsatisfying the first time.
1) I think that Austen’s subtle humor was out in full force during this chapter. As it progressed, though, I found that you could really tell that Captain Wentworth wasn’t that interested in either of them, but that the maneuvers really highlights that Louisa and Henrietta had a job, and the job was to find a mate.
When I read online summaries (most notably Sparknotes) they really highlighted how the Crofts were supposed to contrast with the other married couples and focused on the fact that Mrs. Crofts would take the reins and guide the carriage around obstacles in the road. While I really enjoy their marriage and enjoy their characters, I didn’t find that, even upon a reread, it jumped out at me.
2) I did think it was an interesting way to tell the story, and agree with Marsha who pointed out that it is a bit on the wild side for Anne to have eavesdropped.
3) I enjoyed Anne’s interaction with Captain Berwick a lot – obviously I relate to a bookish person who enjoys talking books with someone else, grin! Also, I found the quote to be instructive and a very good observation of human nature – how easy it is to preach a virtue that it is difficult for us to implement in our own life. (I'd like to extend an apology to all who I have done that to, by the way)
4) I thought it was interesting that Mary insisted on being the one to stay with Louisa and also found her growth and the way that she amused herself in Lyme to be a positive aspect to her up until now one-sided and spoiled character. I was definitely interested in seeing how the story would go, and would have bought the second section if it ended here.
On a side note, when I read about books being serialized in the papers, I always think back to the scene in one of the later “Little House” books (the “Long Winter” maybe?) where they are reading the novel in the paper and eagerly looking forward to the next chapter.
5) I find it interesting that Austen wrote this novel at the end of her life, and as I gather was sickly (although certainly not that old) as she was writing it. I enjoyed the imagery of the autumn, but there was a point that I did start to notice it more and more. I also loved the way that she used the image of the hazelnut (is that what it was? I’ve forgotten) as an allegory in the story.
It gave the feeling of Austen knowing it was her last book, and that was kind of an interesting subtext to me.
6) I don’t find Mr. Elliot to be an irritating or particularly intriguing character, he’s kind of just there. I am again reminded of “Downton Abbey” in his character and position though. Elizabeth has not been a very active character and it’s interesting to see her getting some “screen time” so to speak.
My one complaint so far is that it seems like every male character is named Charles, and that is a bit difficult to follow. On the flip side, I am loving the British spelling of connexion.
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