Persuasion-Themes

Persuasion-Themes

1. SOCIETY AND CLASS- Characters trying to adapt to society where class boundaries are more open than they used to be. Characters who have done well in the old system cling tightly to the older, rigid class structure. Shifting social borders don't mean that class distinctions are disappearing, but show the existing class system tries to adapt to changing conditions.

2. MARRIAGE- Persuasion is a romance novel with some unromantic ideas about marriage.

3. FAMILY- Family rules everything in Persuasion. Determines where you live, what you eat, whom you see, and what you talk about. Separating oneself from one's family is a necessary step to forming an independent identity, few characters manage this step, family connections are such a huge part of their position in the world. The protagonist's family doesn't care for her and makes life at home difficult, but helps develop her own ideas to who she is and what she wants.

4. MEMORY AND THE PAST- The past is not easily forgotten in Persuasion. By the end of the novel, the most successful characters are those who are able to learn from their past experiences without being blinded by them.

5. FRIENDSHIP- Friendships are an alternate alliance to family in the novel. Can't choose family, but you can choose friends. Element of choice makes friends as important as family. Friends step up when family fails in the novel, providing another contrast between individual merit and blood ties.

6. FOOLISHNESS- Lots of foolishness among the young and old- Sir Walter= Vain. Suffering helps, as does thinking about the past to learn from mistakes and admitting mistakes.

7. GENDER- Persuasion suggests differences between sexes, also suggests but, differences are due to the different social expectations and opportunities given to men and women. Men expected to live in the world and make the best of themselves, women stay close to home whether they like it or not.

8. APPEARANCES- Appearances can be deceiving but also be revealing. Beauty = attractiveness, about desire – what one person wants from another. Characters who receive compliments on their appearances are ones who have something others desire to have or share.