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tobereadbookshelf 's review for:
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️ 3.5 stars
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago.”
When reading classic literature, I always find it interesting to consider how language changes over time. Like for example, how words like intercourse and penetration are used in polite conversation in this book. 😅 Their meanings have not changed, but both words are now so closely tied to sex that today, they are rarely used in any other context.
Despite changes in vocabulary, I still found these characters to be relatable and much of their discourse still feels relevant today. I thought the following passages were particularly interesting. The father’s reasoning for why he should go on to the dinner party made me laugh and the mother is clearly just as uninterested in caring for their sick child as he is. I imagine this might have been a shocking portrayal of motherhood at the time this was written. Anne is such a people pleaser that she of course offers to stay behind in their stead. Mary is quick to label her husband as “unfeeling” but changes her tune quickly when offered her own way out of the task. 😅
'Nothing can be going on better than the child,' said he, 'so I told my father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right. Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use. Anne will send for me if any thing is the matter.'
Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain. Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was quite determined on going, and that it would be of no use to tease him. She said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room; but as soon as there was only Anne to hear --
'So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how it would be. This is always my luck. If there is any thing disagreeable going on, men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles is as bad as any of them. Very unfeeling! I must say it is very unfeeling of him, to be running away from his poor little boy. Talks of his being going on so well! how does he know that he is going on well, or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence? I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than any body else to be about the child. My being the mother is the very reason why my feelings should not be tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw how hysterical I was yesterday.'
'But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm -- of the shock. You will not be hysterical again. I dare say we shall have nothing to distress us. I perfectly understand Mr. Robinson's directions, and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his province. A sick child is always the mother's property: her own feelings generally make it so.'
'I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that I am of any more use in the sickroom than Charles, for I cannot be always scolding and teasing a poor child when it is ill; and you saw, this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin kicking about. I have not nerves for the sort of thing.'
'But could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole evening away from the poor boy?'
'Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I? Jemima is so careful; And she could send us word every hour how he was. I really think Charles might as well have told his father we would all come. I am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is. I was dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day.'
'Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself, suppose you were to go, as well as your husband. Leave little Charles to my care. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain with him.'
'Are you serious?' cried Mary, her eyes brightening. 'Dear me! that's a very good thought, very good indeed. To be sure I may just as well go as not, for I am of no use at home -- am I? and it only harasses me. You, who have not a mother's feelings, are a great deal the properest person. You can make little Charles do any thing; he always minds you at a word. It will be a great deal better than leaving him with only Jemima. Oh! I will certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as much as Charles, for they want me excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth, and I know you do not mind being left alone. An excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne! I will go and tell Charles, and get ready directly. You can send for us, you know, at a moment's notice, if any thing is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing to alarm you. I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel quite at ease about my dear child.'
I see the cultural significance of this book and understand why it is still read today, but it was not my favorite classic. I would have enjoyed a few more interactions between Anne & Wentworth. When they finally come together, it is very abrupt and only mildly romantic. There are a few great lines and some thought provoking content, but there are better books out there in my opinion. I can at least say that I enjoyed it far more than Emma.
The following sentiment has certainly stood the test of time…
“One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best.”
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago.”
When reading classic literature, I always find it interesting to consider how language changes over time. Like for example, how words like intercourse and penetration are used in polite conversation in this book. 😅 Their meanings have not changed, but both words are now so closely tied to sex that today, they are rarely used in any other context.
Despite changes in vocabulary, I still found these characters to be relatable and much of their discourse still feels relevant today. I thought the following passages were particularly interesting. The father’s reasoning for why he should go on to the dinner party made me laugh and the mother is clearly just as uninterested in caring for their sick child as he is. I imagine this might have been a shocking portrayal of motherhood at the time this was written. Anne is such a people pleaser that she of course offers to stay behind in their stead. Mary is quick to label her husband as “unfeeling” but changes her tune quickly when offered her own way out of the task. 😅
'Nothing can be going on better than the child,' said he, 'so I told my father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right. Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use. Anne will send for me if any thing is the matter.'
Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain. Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was quite determined on going, and that it would be of no use to tease him. She said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room; but as soon as there was only Anne to hear --
'So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how it would be. This is always my luck. If there is any thing disagreeable going on, men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles is as bad as any of them. Very unfeeling! I must say it is very unfeeling of him, to be running away from his poor little boy. Talks of his being going on so well! how does he know that he is going on well, or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence? I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than any body else to be about the child. My being the mother is the very reason why my feelings should not be tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw how hysterical I was yesterday.'
'But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm -- of the shock. You will not be hysterical again. I dare say we shall have nothing to distress us. I perfectly understand Mr. Robinson's directions, and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his province. A sick child is always the mother's property: her own feelings generally make it so.'
'I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that I am of any more use in the sickroom than Charles, for I cannot be always scolding and teasing a poor child when it is ill; and you saw, this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin kicking about. I have not nerves for the sort of thing.'
'But could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole evening away from the poor boy?'
'Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I? Jemima is so careful; And she could send us word every hour how he was. I really think Charles might as well have told his father we would all come. I am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is. I was dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day.'
'Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself, suppose you were to go, as well as your husband. Leave little Charles to my care. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain with him.'
'Are you serious?' cried Mary, her eyes brightening. 'Dear me! that's a very good thought, very good indeed. To be sure I may just as well go as not, for I am of no use at home -- am I? and it only harasses me. You, who have not a mother's feelings, are a great deal the properest person. You can make little Charles do any thing; he always minds you at a word. It will be a great deal better than leaving him with only Jemima. Oh! I will certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as much as Charles, for they want me excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth, and I know you do not mind being left alone. An excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne! I will go and tell Charles, and get ready directly. You can send for us, you know, at a moment's notice, if any thing is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing to alarm you. I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel quite at ease about my dear child.'
I see the cultural significance of this book and understand why it is still read today, but it was not my favorite classic. I would have enjoyed a few more interactions between Anne & Wentworth. When they finally come together, it is very abrupt and only mildly romantic. There are a few great lines and some thought provoking content, but there are better books out there in my opinion. I can at least say that I enjoyed it far more than Emma.
The following sentiment has certainly stood the test of time…
“One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best.”