Persuasion: Constancy in love | Sunday Observer

Persuasion: Constancy in love

4 February, 2018

The 1995 movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion stars Amanda Root as Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds as Fredrick Wentworth. The film begins with a portrayal of the upper class Elliot family of Kellynch Hall in nineteenth century Regency England, and the story focuses on the relationship between Anne Elliot and a naval officer named Fredrick Wentworth. Jane Austen wrote Persuasion during a period of social upheaval in nineteenth century England, and the movie stays true to the novel in its depiction of class hierarchy and social mobility as well as plot structure and character portrayal.

At the beginning of the film, Anne’s mother is dead and her aristocratic father, Sir Walter Elliot - a vain and silly Baronet is in debt due to his extravagant lifestyle. Sir Walter does not approve of the navy because according to him it is “a means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction” as it facilitates upward social mobility of commoners.

But ironically, Sir Walter is compelled to rent out Kellynch Hall to a naval officer, Admiral Croft who is the brother-in-law of Anne’s former fiancé Fredrick. The Elliot family opposed Anne’s relationship with Fredrick because he was a commoner, and a family friend, Lady Russell persuaded Anne to break off her engagement to Fredrick eight years prior to the beginning of the film.

The Elliot family is not a united or happy family, and the discord within the family is evident early in the film when Anne’s elder sister Elizabeth expresses her preference for taking an acquaintance, Mrs. Clay rather than Anne when moving to Bath. Anne goes to stay with her younger sister Mary who is married to Charles Musgrove and has two young sons and lives in nearby Uppercross Hall with his parents and two sisters Henrietta and Louisa.

Admiral Croft along with his wife and brother-in-law Fredrick come to call on the Musgroves and a meeting between Anne and Fredrick is inevitable, although Anne tries to avoid meeting Fredrick. Fredrick seems cold and indifferent to Anne and he tells Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove that he finds Anne “much altered” which upsets her. Fredrick and Anne meet frequently on walks but Fredrick seems to be interested in Louisa Musgrove and ignores Anne, because he has not yet forgiven her for being allowed to be persuaded to refuse him. While courting Louisa, Fredrick learns from her that Anne refused Charles Musgrove’s marriage proposal.

The Musgroves and Fredrick plan a trip to the seaside town of Lyme Regis which proves to be a turning point in the lives of Anne and Fredrick. While on a walk by the sea in Lyme, Louisa purposely falls off a cliff hoping that Fredrick would catch her in mid air, but falls to the ground and has a head injury and loses consciousness. It is during this period that Fredrick realises Louisa’s temperament does not suit him and that she is the wrong woman for him.

Anne goes to stay with her father and Elizabeth in Bath and Anne’s cousin William Elliot who is diabolical, pursues her with calculated and mercenary motives because he would inherit Kellynch Hall and the Baronetcy as he is Sir Walter’s only male heir. Anne learns from a friend named Mrs. Smith that Mr. Elliot is having a secret affair with Mrs. Clay, and he is conspiring to prevent Sir Walter from marrying again and having a son, which would prevent him from inheriting Kellynch Hall and the Baronetcy.

While Louisa is recovering from the concussion, Fredrick’s friend Captain James Benwick befriends her and they fall in love and decide to get married. And Henrietta gets married to Charles Hayter.

In Bath, Fredrick overhears a conversation between Anne and his friend Captain Harville about men and women who are faithful and constant in love, which results in Fredrick writing a letter to Anne telling her about his feelings for her, and this time Anne goes against the wishes of her family and accepts Fredrick’s proposal.

The most moving part of the film is the reconciliation between Fredrick and Anne who are fortunate to have a second chance in love. The film adaptation of Persuasion brings out Austen’s emphasis on the importance of compatibility and understanding and affection in marriage.

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