Persuasion (novel) facts for kids
Title page of the original 1818 edition
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| Author | Jane Austen |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | John Murray |
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Publication date
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1818 |
Persuasion is the last complete novel written by Jane Austen.
It tells a story about getting a second chance at love after a long time.
What is Persuasion About?
The main character is Anne Elliot. She is the second daughter of Sir Walter Elliot. Sir Walter is a very proud man with a special title called a baronet. This means he is like a knight, and his title and land would normally pass to his son. But Sir Walter has no sons, so his land will go to a cousin, William Elliot.
Eight years before the story starts, Anne was going to marry a young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth. However, Anne's mother's friend, Lady Russell, convinced her to break off the engagement. Lady Russell thought Frederick Wentworth did not have enough money or social standing.
Anne sadly agreed, and Wentworth left, feeling very angry. Jane Austen wrote that Anne "had been forced into prudence in her youth." This means Anne had to be sensible when she was young. But as she grew older, she learned to value true love more.
Eight years later, Anne is older and still single. Her family does not pay much attention to her. She deeply regrets breaking off her engagement to Wentworth.
The Story of Persuasion
Sir Walter Elliot has spent too much money. Because of this, he must rent out his family home, Kellynch Hall. He rents it to Admiral Croft and his wife. Sir Walter and his daughters move to the city of Bath for a while.
Anne goes to stay with her younger sister, Mary. Mary is married to Charles Musgrove, a neighbor. While staying there, Anne makes a surprising discovery. Admiral Croft's wife is Captain Wentworth's sister!
Soon after, Captain Wentworth is introduced to the Musgrove family. He has become very rich and is now a very desirable husband. When Anne and Wentworth meet again, Anne feels very sad. It seems like he no longer cares for her. He spends a lot of time with the two Musgrove sisters, Louisa and Henrietta. Most people think he will marry one of them.
Everyone decides to visit Lyme Regis. This is where Wentworth's friend, Captain Harville, lives. Captain Harville is sad because his sister died young. He is also comforting Captain Benwick, who was going to marry Harville's sister.
In Lyme, something serious happens. Louisa Musgrove falls from a set of steps called the Cobb while playing with Captain Wentworth. She is badly injured. Captain Wentworth feels very guilty about this. He realizes that everyone expects him to marry Louisa if she recovers.
Anne later joins her father and sister in Bath. Her father and older sister, Elizabeth, are being flattered by a widow named Mrs. Clay. She is the daughter of their family lawyer.
William Elliot, the cousin who will inherit Sir Walter's land, also joins the family in Bath. Lady Russell encourages him to spend time with Anne. She hopes Anne will marry him. But Anne feels unsure about William Elliot.
Suddenly, news arrives that Louisa Musgrove is much better. Even more surprising, she is now engaged to Captain Benwick, not Captain Wentworth!
Captain Wentworth also comes to Bath. He starts to feel jealous when he sees Anne with Mr. Elliot. Wentworth believes that Anne and Mr. Elliot are engaged to be married. However, Anne has not accepted Mr. Elliot's marriage proposal.
Anne learns some important information about Mr. Elliot from an old friend, Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith tells Anne that Mr. Elliot is not a good person. He is worried that Sir Walter and Mrs. Clay might have a son. If they did, that son would inherit Sir Walter's land instead of him. Mr. Elliot wants to marry Anne because he finds her attractive. But he also wants Mrs. Clay to be his secret girlfriend. Anne is shocked by this news.
Later, Anne and Captain Harville have a conversation about love. They discuss whether women or men love for a longer time. After hearing them talk, Captain Wentworth writes a letter to Anne. In the letter, he tells Anne that he still loves her. He asks her to marry him again. Anne is very happy and says yes!
Images for kids
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An illustration by Hugh Thomson of a moment in chapter three. Sir Walter asks, "In the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?"
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Family trees for the Elliot and Musgrove families in Persuasion.
See also
In Spanish: Persuasión (novela) para niños
