I continue to have a smorgasbord of ideas as I wind down on Persuasion, but I believe that they are all important to truly understanding the message that Austen wishes to send to her readers. Although I am not yet able to narrow down my final thesis, I have picked up a few more key ideas that will help to bring my thesis to life.
Jane Austen’s Persuasion is a book with an extremely strong message of feminism. Although there are women in the book that elude sexuality and beauty, Austen writes her story around a “plain” girl. Anne is not a typical woman, in fact, she is not beautiful, she is extremely intelligent and well read, and she extremely steady in character. Anne is the opposite of what we would normally view as a heroine, but she embodies all the qualities that make a woman worth admiring in my mind. Three men in the book fancy Anne: Elliot, Wentworth, and Charles Musgrove. Although there are many women in Persuasion that possess typical heroine behaviors, these three men see beyond appearance and stature to the quality of Anne’s spirit and her consistent fortitude and patience.
In a previous blog, I touched on the idea of social class (more specifically, if Persuasion paints the picture of a typical social hierarchy). I think that Anne is the character that prevents this novel from being thrown into the pile of novels that write about the importance of class and rank. Although Anne’s father and sisters are concerned with their status, Anne is not. Anne thinks for herself. I think that this message is so powerful because Austen then chooses to have the defiant Anne as the character that is most desirable in the novel. Although she has a spirit of her own, Austen does not present her as an outcast; instead, she is the center of the narrative. Anne is not maverick in her society, but she is able to think for herself and in context with the time period, I respect Austen for giving her that influence.
With Anne as the protagonist of the narrative, I found myself wondering; who or what is the antagonist of the narrative? I think that Anne has many contrasting antagonists in Persuasion. First of all, is society itself. Society and its strict rigors on social class prevented Anne from sharing her love with Wentworth in the first place. Although Anne works through this obstacle and has come out a better stronger person, Anne is clearly influenced and hampered by society. An additional contrast to Anne is her entire family. As a unit, they represent an antagonist in Persuasion. Anne’s father, Anne’s older sisters, and Sir Elliot are individuals in this society that differ from who Anne truly is and what Anne truly believes.
I think that the ideas that I have talked about in my blogs serve to create a strong final thesis. With reflection I think that I will be able to gather my thoughts to create a cohesive conclusion on Austen’s Persuasion.(531)
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Generations Apart
“Digging” by Seamus Heaney tells the story of work and dedication to a family tradition, planting and harvesting potatoes. With further observation, it is apparent that Seamus Heaney is the voice of the poem. He is narrating his own personal tale of admiration and appreciation. He starts out recognizing himself as a writer, “Between my finger and my thumb/ The squat pen rests; snug as a gun”, which corresponds with his occupation, and goes on to recognize his father and his grandfather as potato farmers. Although the apparent separation of generations is present and potent, the true and deeper meaning lies in the high regard that Heaney feels for the men that have forged the path before him.
A key element of “Digging” that revealed itself to me was the blurred use of time. Although three generations of men are being intricately described and observed, the line between each is not obvious. A solid union between the grandfather and father is present when Heaney says, “I look down/ Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds/ Bends low, comes up twenty years away/ Stooping in rhythm through potato drills/ Where he was digging”. The word “rhythm” creates the image of the father and the grandfather performing the same tasks with the same methods although they are a generation of time apart. The indistinguishable portrayals of the father and the grandfather set the stage for Heaney to reveal his own personal form of digging. The only line that seems to be obvious is that of Heaney himself. He does not dig with a shovel, instead, he digs with his pen, “Between my finger and my thumb/ The squat pen rests./ I’ll dig with it”. He will devote the same passion to his writing as his father and his grandfather has devoted to their, literal, digging. The word “digging” as it is used in this poem does not match its formal denotation, but instead stands for the zeal and fervor with which the men of the Heaney family have assigned to their lives, whatever occupation they have chosen. The tradition of potato farming is present, but the hard work is even more recognizably a custom in this family.
Digging is a poem of freedom and liberation from family traditions while continuing to keep ties to the past. Fitting with the idea of independence, Heaney wrote his poem in free verse. He begins the poem with a rhyme scheme, but as the story of his family is revealed and he begins to identify with the men of his past, the poem loosens to allow the speaker to use whatever words he desires. Free verse poems do not have rhyme or meter, but are still recognized as a cohesive body of poetry. There are few rules in free verse. This form of poetry fits snuggly with the idea the Heaney begins to recognize his own sense of freedom while still respecting his father and his grandfather. This casual presentation hits the reader on a personal level that allows a deep connection to occur as we all have traditions in our families that can be defined from many perspectives.
Seamus Heaney is proud of his family’s tradition. By the end of the poem, he believes that if he listens to his heart and respects his true desires, his family will be proud of him for whatever it is that he dedicates his life to. Although a personal recollection of memories, Heaney’s idea of breaking out of tradition and creating his own life and career will always be current and universal. (617)
Discussion Questions:
1.) How many different definition of the word "digging" are present in the poem?
2.) By the end of the poem, is the author sound with the idea of breaking away from the family's tradition?
3.) In the last stanza of the poem what is the significance of the line "I'll dig with it"?
4.) Do you think that his father will accept his writing as a branch of the family's tradition?
A key element of “Digging” that revealed itself to me was the blurred use of time. Although three generations of men are being intricately described and observed, the line between each is not obvious. A solid union between the grandfather and father is present when Heaney says, “I look down/ Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds/ Bends low, comes up twenty years away/ Stooping in rhythm through potato drills/ Where he was digging”. The word “rhythm” creates the image of the father and the grandfather performing the same tasks with the same methods although they are a generation of time apart. The indistinguishable portrayals of the father and the grandfather set the stage for Heaney to reveal his own personal form of digging. The only line that seems to be obvious is that of Heaney himself. He does not dig with a shovel, instead, he digs with his pen, “Between my finger and my thumb/ The squat pen rests./ I’ll dig with it”. He will devote the same passion to his writing as his father and his grandfather has devoted to their, literal, digging. The word “digging” as it is used in this poem does not match its formal denotation, but instead stands for the zeal and fervor with which the men of the Heaney family have assigned to their lives, whatever occupation they have chosen. The tradition of potato farming is present, but the hard work is even more recognizably a custom in this family.
Digging is a poem of freedom and liberation from family traditions while continuing to keep ties to the past. Fitting with the idea of independence, Heaney wrote his poem in free verse. He begins the poem with a rhyme scheme, but as the story of his family is revealed and he begins to identify with the men of his past, the poem loosens to allow the speaker to use whatever words he desires. Free verse poems do not have rhyme or meter, but are still recognized as a cohesive body of poetry. There are few rules in free verse. This form of poetry fits snuggly with the idea the Heaney begins to recognize his own sense of freedom while still respecting his father and his grandfather. This casual presentation hits the reader on a personal level that allows a deep connection to occur as we all have traditions in our families that can be defined from many perspectives.
Seamus Heaney is proud of his family’s tradition. By the end of the poem, he believes that if he listens to his heart and respects his true desires, his family will be proud of him for whatever it is that he dedicates his life to. Although a personal recollection of memories, Heaney’s idea of breaking out of tradition and creating his own life and career will always be current and universal. (617)
Discussion Questions:
1.) How many different definition of the word "digging" are present in the poem?
2.) By the end of the poem, is the author sound with the idea of breaking away from the family's tradition?
3.) In the last stanza of the poem what is the significance of the line "I'll dig with it"?
4.) Do you think that his father will accept his writing as a branch of the family's tradition?
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Collection of Jumbled Thoughts
After reading your comment last week, I set out reading with a determination to find the depth and quality to Anne’s character and I believe that I succeeded. I have found a new and deeper respect for the choices that she makes. The act of persuasion and influence still remain as the central power in Persuasion, but I see a deeper meaning as a rebellious and heroine-like spirit is portrayed through Anne’s character. I think that it is necessary for me to get my thoughts in order as to how “persuasion” affects the various characters in the novel. In addition, as I work towards the development of my final thesis, I think that it is important to address how “persuasion” blossoms and grows unstoppably throughout the novel.
Persuasion leads to the destruction of one of the characters in the novel. Frederick Wentworth temporarily falls in love with Luisa Musgrove, whom I recognize as Anne’s foil in Persuasion. Luisa is full of spirit and wears her emotions on her sleeves. Wentworth does not have to question his love for Luisa because she is so ready and able to return that love. She is full of conviction and confidence. These are the qualities that Wentworth believes Anne lacks. While in Lyme, the qualities that Wentworth admires in Luisa lead her to feel untouchable and capable of anything. Wentworth persuades her not to jump from the wall, but she disobeys him and is immediately forced in a coma. At this point, I believe, that Wentworth begins to once again value the stability and levelheaded actions of Anne. Anne’s reserved and thoughtful spirit no longer looks prude, but instead it looks appealing.
Although persuasion causes tragedy and its value and stance between good and evil is highly questionable, I realize the power that Anne has to defy this pressure. As I progressed towards to the end of the novel, I realize that Anne is truly an inspirational character. She is shy and reserved, but moving and dominant in her own right. She is in touch an aware of her instincts, but she does not let them sweep her off of her feet. She knows that she loves Wentworth, but she worries that he does not care for her as he once did. I absolutely adored the scene (which I also think is the climax/turning point of the novel) when Anne is having a discussion with Captain Harville about passion. With Wentworth only feet away with pen in hand, I knew that this was the true turning point for these two characters. Anne expresses her fervent belief that men let go of love and relationship much sooner than women. She thinks that men forget the strength and the connection that once consumed intimate relationships. The fact that this conversation was spoken in front of an eight-years-in-mourning Wentworth makes it even more powerful.
I have a few pages left to read of the novel, but I am officially persuaded that I love persuasion and I absolutely concur that Anne is a pivotal character in writing. As my thoughts are still jumbled and my final message/thesis is not yet clear (as is readily apparent in my blog), I know that a deeper message will come from my currently basic and shallow thoughts. This work of writing is very different (different in a good way) from what I expected and I think that I need to reflect on the themes that I have in mind. (597)
JSTOR articles:
Title: The Importance of Vision: "Persuasion" and the Picturesque
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3886237
Title: The Bodily Frame: Learning Romance in Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3044848
Title: The Achievement of Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/449831
Title: The Abiding Possibilities of Nature in Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/450230
Title: Divided Attention in Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2933017
Persuasion leads to the destruction of one of the characters in the novel. Frederick Wentworth temporarily falls in love with Luisa Musgrove, whom I recognize as Anne’s foil in Persuasion. Luisa is full of spirit and wears her emotions on her sleeves. Wentworth does not have to question his love for Luisa because she is so ready and able to return that love. She is full of conviction and confidence. These are the qualities that Wentworth believes Anne lacks. While in Lyme, the qualities that Wentworth admires in Luisa lead her to feel untouchable and capable of anything. Wentworth persuades her not to jump from the wall, but she disobeys him and is immediately forced in a coma. At this point, I believe, that Wentworth begins to once again value the stability and levelheaded actions of Anne. Anne’s reserved and thoughtful spirit no longer looks prude, but instead it looks appealing.
Although persuasion causes tragedy and its value and stance between good and evil is highly questionable, I realize the power that Anne has to defy this pressure. As I progressed towards to the end of the novel, I realize that Anne is truly an inspirational character. She is shy and reserved, but moving and dominant in her own right. She is in touch an aware of her instincts, but she does not let them sweep her off of her feet. She knows that she loves Wentworth, but she worries that he does not care for her as he once did. I absolutely adored the scene (which I also think is the climax/turning point of the novel) when Anne is having a discussion with Captain Harville about passion. With Wentworth only feet away with pen in hand, I knew that this was the true turning point for these two characters. Anne expresses her fervent belief that men let go of love and relationship much sooner than women. She thinks that men forget the strength and the connection that once consumed intimate relationships. The fact that this conversation was spoken in front of an eight-years-in-mourning Wentworth makes it even more powerful.
I have a few pages left to read of the novel, but I am officially persuaded that I love persuasion and I absolutely concur that Anne is a pivotal character in writing. As my thoughts are still jumbled and my final message/thesis is not yet clear (as is readily apparent in my blog), I know that a deeper message will come from my currently basic and shallow thoughts. This work of writing is very different (different in a good way) from what I expected and I think that I need to reflect on the themes that I have in mind. (597)
JSTOR articles:
Title: The Importance of Vision: "Persuasion" and the Picturesque
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3886237
Title: The Bodily Frame: Learning Romance in Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3044848
Title: The Achievement of Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/449831
Title: The Abiding Possibilities of Nature in Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/450230
Title: Divided Attention in Persuasion
Link: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2933017
Thursday, April 10, 2008
I am not persuaded that I am in love with Persuasion
There is something off and I know exactly what it is. The story of Persuasion is not pleasing— it does not illuminate love. Persuasion does not quench my desire for the walls of this stale 19th century society to break down. In fact, the walls stand high and mighty. As hard as I push for them to crumble, they remain steady. Although I am distraught by the fact that Anne cannot rise above the words of her elders, I am pleasantly challenged by my disagreement with this novel.
I am so accustomed to reading novel such as Romeo and Juliet and Love in the Time of Cholera where, deep down, I know they have the power and the will to defy their disapproving company, but in Persuasion, deep down, I feel that Anne does not have that same rebellious spirit. She is trapped by the walls of society. I find it fitting, but curious that the word persuasion is so often used. Before Wentworth went to the navy, Anne was persuaded by her father that she did not love him and Anne actually obeyed him. This is where I first knew that there was something seriously off with this novel. Where is the powerful woman that is typically at the center of the novel that will stumble for no obstacles as she forges her own path seeking to fulfill her hearts desires? Basically, why is Anne so meek? I do not think that Anne was persuaded to conveniently fall out of love with Wentworth, instead, I believe she was brainwashed. Anne’s family is truly trapped by the static cold walls they have built around themselves. They have neither the drive nor the passion to step outside society’s expectations, at the cost of marring their image, to stand up for what is right. What is the most frustrating to me is that Anne does not have the courage to do so either. Anne is sound with being persuaded and does not fell she has been cheated out of a great love.
With that said, I do not think that this novel is meant to be a classic romantic story. Thus far, I think that the underlying message in Persuasion is the power of persuasion. I think that Austen intends the reader to be angered by the decisions and the mildness of her characters. This leaves the reader to decide if the power of persuasion is fundamentally good or bad. (456)
I am so accustomed to reading novel such as Romeo and Juliet and Love in the Time of Cholera where, deep down, I know they have the power and the will to defy their disapproving company, but in Persuasion, deep down, I feel that Anne does not have that same rebellious spirit. She is trapped by the walls of society. I find it fitting, but curious that the word persuasion is so often used. Before Wentworth went to the navy, Anne was persuaded by her father that she did not love him and Anne actually obeyed him. This is where I first knew that there was something seriously off with this novel. Where is the powerful woman that is typically at the center of the novel that will stumble for no obstacles as she forges her own path seeking to fulfill her hearts desires? Basically, why is Anne so meek? I do not think that Anne was persuaded to conveniently fall out of love with Wentworth, instead, I believe she was brainwashed. Anne’s family is truly trapped by the static cold walls they have built around themselves. They have neither the drive nor the passion to step outside society’s expectations, at the cost of marring their image, to stand up for what is right. What is the most frustrating to me is that Anne does not have the courage to do so either. Anne is sound with being persuaded and does not fell she has been cheated out of a great love.
With that said, I do not think that this novel is meant to be a classic romantic story. Thus far, I think that the underlying message in Persuasion is the power of persuasion. I think that Austen intends the reader to be angered by the decisions and the mildness of her characters. This leaves the reader to decide if the power of persuasion is fundamentally good or bad. (456)
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