Lady Elliot Persuasion Literary Analysis

Lady Elliot’s Legacy in Persuasion

In the novel Persuasion, Lady Elliot exemplifies many themes including the role women play in society and societal status versus love. Although dead for the entire novel, Lady Elliot is critical to the development of the story and many of the leading characters. Lady Elliot is the antithesis of Sir Walter which provides a stark contrast between different views on status, love, and life.

Lady Elliot is the rock that holds the household together and without her Sir Walter is lost. On the very first page of the novel Sir Walter views the Baronetage “for his own amusement” (2), an expression of his vanity. An emphasis is placed on how he inserted “most accurately the day and month which he lost his wife” (2),

Anne's father, sisters, and even her surrogate mother are all flawed. Yet somehow, against all odds, Anne's soul remains uncorrupted. The shield that protects Anne's soul and gives her wisdom is Lady Elliot's legacy. With this protection Anne is able to see the world for what it really is behind all the curtains that the aristocracy hides behind. It allows her to move fluidly, with charm and no ego, throughout all of the various social circles presented in the novel. Anne is observant, thoughtful, flexible and takes in everything the world has to offer to her. Anne's own father views her of having “very inferior value” (8) whereas Captain Harville, who Sir Walter would consider a “nobody” (44) , feels he is in “very good anchorage” (446) with Anne's company. This is the true reality of the world not the fake veneer Sir Walter and company would like to see applied. Anne feels more comfortable and happy surrounding herself with real people that are full of vigor and life, than the cast of fake aristocrats she was raised around that care more about mirrors and dinner parties. Anne truly is the best of both world, or of all worlds really. Anne moves most elegantly from Kellynch-hall to Uppercross to Winthrop Farm to Lyme and to Bath. It is highly significant that “Anne alone brought Captain Wentworth to Bath” (452) the most diverse city of them all, to rekindle their love. Anne even pays tribute to her destitute old friend, Mrs. Clay, who most would have just written off. This is ultimately proven to be the case when it is shown that Anne is the most happiest on a boat with her true love Captain Wentworth, far removed from