I'm here to read this book with the Love of My Life

I have finished the book. THere are many parallels to relationships of true love. Tell me your thoughts onthe last sentence.

I find it interesting that the last chapter is basically an editorial. It's as if Jane Austen did not trust that the reader would get her book, so she spells it out for us. Actually, I am glad she does. It leaves no doubt about how things are wrapped up in all the character's lives.

The name hayter turned out to have no meaning in the area I thought it did. I did not see Charles Hayter as a hater.

The book is at my office, but there was a reference made to the value of the family at home that waits for a sailor gone off to war to return. It made me feel even more left out.

Page 165-- "Surely, if there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand each other ere long. We are not boy and girl, to be captiously irritable, misled by every moment's inadvertence, and wantonly playing with our own happiness." No, no one wants discord in a relationship, and it is comforting to think that if it is meant to be, then things will be right one day and lovers will be together.

Wentworth's letter on pg. 176-- Exquisite show of emotion and feelings, sincere, honest, and passionate. How can it be descibed as anything less?! I was so proud of him! "I have loved none but you." "Never inconstant." Wonderful!

Page 180--He goes on to explain, however, "that he had been constant unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her, and believed it to be done. He had imagined himself indifferent, when he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because he had been a sufferer from them. Her character was now fixed on his mind as perfection itself." Attempted attachment to Louisa was because of his "angry pride."
How well she puts real-life emotions into words!

Is pride a fault or a virtue?

"captiously"--marked by a disposition to find or point out trivial faults, intended to entrap or confuse, as in an argument

Pride being a fault or a virtue is one of question. Darcy answers rather abrasively when asked by Elizabeth.

I read all that you did and picked up on all the references you made! I remember thinking in response to the ''angry pride", "I knew it! Louisa WAS just the next meal!" I don't have my book with me so I can't remember all the the references but that is what I was referring to when I said Jane was editorializing in the last chapter. It was a wonderful last chapter and a suiting end to the book. The letter he wrote....wow! I wanted to see SOMETHING like that from him. Thanks for the definition. I hope mine are appreciated!

I do appreciate the definitions!

I would have hoped that, even though Anne turned him away 8 years ago, he would have had the confidence to see where her feelings lay before moving on to the "next meal." I would expect that in my life and circumstances. Never make assumptions on matters of the heart!!

Well, it looks like we are thru the first read. So many parallel's to life and relationships.

I'm ready to start again and go a little slower. I can take as much time as I need....

I loved this book...

I'll let you know when I am ready to start over! I loved this book, too. I learned alot about myself!

Exploring is good.... I found as I reread the first chapter (and yes, it is very early Sunday morning and I've been reading (4:30)) that there is an explanation of the relationship and history of William Elliot to the family and that Elizabeth is actually wearing black ribbons out of repect for his recently deceased wife. We learn even more details toward the end of the book from Mrs. Smith.

Elizabeth really is a wretched person toward Anne. Anne is described as nothing of consequence in the family, and when the debt is revealed to Elizabeth by her father she considers how to save money and comes up with two ideas (cutting off some charities and not refurnishing the drawing room) before "...afterwords adding the happy thought of taking no present down to Anne, as had been the usual yearly custom.
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I have preteen kids. I thought about how helpful it would have been to have books in HS and JH that I was reading in English class that had notes in the margin. I might have gotten a whole lot more out of them. I don't think that they will read any Jane Austen stuff but I think I'd like to find out which books they will read each year and read them in advance (twice, of course!) and make notes in the margin that might help them connect things or think about things as they read. Thoughts anyone?

Oh, and almost 1900 looks at this thread!!

Not sure about that with the books. I think it sort of takes away from the challenge of making discoveries on their own. They would also end up presenting your ideas as their own in the classroom which is kind of not fair to the other students! It's not a bad idea, but I know I see things much differently than I did when reading things in jr high or high school.

That's a good point. On the otherhand, I don't remember having ANY ideas in HS other than the ones presented by my teacher. Maybe Cliff gave me a few ideas. (last name: Notes)!...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LizzyBennet

I have recently started this book myself! Just beginning Chapter 4 in fact! This is where it begins to get good!
I have noticed that some of the writing thus far seems rushed, like she was trying to lay down the groundwork quickly without really developing it. I wonder if she meant to go back through and re-write it before she died. We'll never know. One thing we do know is that she has a romantic heart just like I do, and I can certainly relate to her heroines.

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Thats one of the questions about the book. She certainly wrote it in a race against failing health and the book was published posthumously. Some of the early chapters do have a lot of quick summaries and a fair few dashes - which is something she used in the very unfinished fragment "Sandition" which she was writing a few months before her death. But that manuscript is literally full of dashes and half finished sentences. It seems that she jotted down her ideas in a notepad almost as fast as they came out of her head, and only later went back and wrote it up with proper sentences and punctuation. It seems likely that Persuasion hadn't been quite as polished as she would have liked before publication, but we'll never know for certain.

I dont know what this thread is about but i just wanted to say it has a great title.

Thank you!

Thanks, Davy! I appreciate the information! I didn't know that about Sandition.

Persuasion is an excellent book, but I don't recomend you do a book report on it. Basically, you are just writing about gossip. I decided to write a report on it and it proved to be very difficult, although it is a great read.

You are propbably right. But for me, it's not about reports anymore, it's about understanding the human condition and human nature. It's about being understood in the arena of relationships and life. This book is a masterpiece and Jane Austen is a master....

I watched the DVD, but had a hard time really caring about the relationship between Wentworth and Anne. I definitey prefer the book! Isn't that typical?!

I understand your thoughts on Wentworth and Anne. I think that bc the movie was not American Produced (made in England) that it lacked a lot of what we expect in terms of cinematography. The presentation seemed somewhat amature but the message was definately there!

Standing next to Pride & Predudice with KK and all her charm, the movie paled. But again, the message.... When Wentworth wrote the letter and left it for Anne and Anne found it and read it, I know that emotion. For both Anne and Wentworth.

Has anyone seen the new movie about Jane Austen starring Anne Hathaway called "Becoming Jane?"