Coming Of Age In Jane Austen's Persuasion

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The Power of Persuasion As individuals in life, many must face contradiction with their values in accordance to those surrounding them, such is the case with Anne Elliot. Jane Austen’s Persuasion is a story portraying the conflict between giving in and standing up against persuasion. Ultimately, a person must persist against all other opinions and act upon their own will as Anne Elliot does. Austen portrays a character arc of coming of age through Anne, an acceptance and advance towards the things that will influence her happiness. She must go through the journey first though and prepare herself just as any hero. In Persuasion, Anne Elliot must navigate influences of societal expectation that conflict with her values, deviating from those of her family, Lady Russell, as well as herself.
Anne Elliot begins her …show more content…

However, Jane Austen’s Persuasion is the story of Anne Elliot’s coming of age; when she frees herself from the expectations of society and subsequent pressure from her family, Lady Russell and herself. Persuasion is a reflection of the influence within each person to rise above the conflict of values as Anne must. Anne’s relationship with Captain Wentworth only furthers her connection to her values, therefore she is not hindered by the coincidence of her engagement and her freedom. Austen is not painting persuasion as a power that keeps individuals from their happiness; but rather, she is using it as a motivating factor towards that happiness. Anne Elliot proves that the individual is in charge of its own happiness, that all other factors are obsolete, through her friendships, her firm stance in morality, and her triumph of self-doubt. That is what must be taken from the novel: the power of persuasion lies in those who choose to ignore its