i
THE MARXIST FEMINIST CONCEPT
IN THE CHARACTER OF ANNE ELLIOT
IN JANE AUSTEN’S
PERSUASION
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
SINTA FITRIANI
Student Number: 104214010
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
ii
THE MARXIST FEMINIST CONCEPT
IN THE CHARACTER OF ANNE ELLIOT
IN JANE AUSTEN’S
PERSUASION
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
SINTA FITRIANI
Student Number: 104214010
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
vii
D
on’t you give up
Don’t you quit
You keep walking
You keep trying
There is help and happiness ahead
It will be alright
In the end..
Trust GOD
And believe in good things to come..
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Jesus Christ, my Savior, who always strengthens me, so that I can accomplish this thesis. I could not imagine how I could be without His blessings. May His name always be venerated all of the time.
I would like to thank A.B Sri Mulyani,M.A.,Ph.D, my advisor, for her guidance, kindness, and support for finishing this thesis. I would also like to thank Ni LuhPutu Rosiandani,S.S.,M.Hum, my co-advisor, for reading my thesis and giving me advices for the improvement of this thesis. I thank all the lecturers of English Letters Department, especially Anna Fitriati S.Pd.,M.Hum, and to all the staff of Faculty of Letter, Sanata Dharma University.
To both of my parents, I thank them for supporting me. I could not be happier than being your daughter. I am here and I am belonging to this stage right now is because of you, all of your sacrifices and prayers. No words can explain how grateful I am for having such great parents like you both. I will not disappoint you, mom and dad. To my sisters and my brothers, thank you for your support. Even though you never show your support through words, but I am sure you take your minutes to pray for me.
ix
time, the story and sharing moments, the attention, the help, and all of the bittersweet we have spent together. I will not forget you guys, no matter what happens in the world. You mean a lot to me. Special thanks to Putri Riskya and Augustina Kresia, for the laughs, tears, and help, and for encouraging me when I am about to loose hope.
Last but not least, to Andrew Nantio Subekti, my sunshine, my vitamin. Thank you for all. I am grateful to have such a wonderful guy on earth like you. You are the best thing that has ever been mine.
Finally, to everyone who has helped me these years, thank you…
x
B. Review of Related Theories ………... 1. Theory of Character and Characterization ………... 2. Theory of Marxist Feminism ……… 3. Review of Social Class in Austen’s Persuasion ……….. 4. Review of Women’s Status in the late 18th and early 19th
Century British Society……… 5. Review of Class, Title and Ranks in Jane Austen’s Time………
C. Theoretical Framework ……….
A. The Description of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion………
1. Anne Elliot as a Woman……….
2. Anne Elliot as a Daughter of a Noble Family……… B. The Marxist Issues Experienced by Anne………. C. The Concept of Marxist Feminism Reflected by Anne………
xi ABSTRACT
FITRIANI, SINTA. The Marxist Feminist Concept in the Character of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2014.
This thesis examines the characteristics of the woman character inPersuasion,
a classic novel written by Jane Austen, that reflects the concept of Marxist Feminism. It has a close relation with the historical background of the story, which was in the late 18thcentury to early 19thcentury, where gender and class were very influential in many aspects in the society.
There are three problems. The first problem is about how the character of Anne Elliot is described inPersuasion.The second problem is about how the issue of gender and class related to Marxism at that time is revealed. The last problem is in what way the concept of Marxist Feminism is reflected through Anne Elliot.
The method used in this study is library research. The books about literary theories are used to understand the theory that is relevant with the topic of the discussion, especially in this case the theory of character and characterization to reveal Anne Elliot character. Another supporting theory is theory of Marxist Feminism that leads into a further discussion of the topic. Various books about the history of British society in late18th century to early 19th century are also used to get deeper understanding about historical background of British society of that era.
The result of the analysis shows that Anne Elliot is an extraordinary figure, attractive, friendly, smart, open-minded, multi-talented, and helpful. Anne is also an introvert, that sometimes she keeps her own feeling. Based on the background of the story which is the late18th century to early 19thcentury British society, the character of Anne reflects the concept of Marxist Feminism in the case of how she deals with problem and how she solves it. Anne looks like she is a frail woman yet actually she is tough and brave. Even though at the beginning she has been persuaded by her relatives, but her maturity of feeling and mind finally help her change the condition where she is forced not to be her own self.
xii ABSTRAK
FITRIANI, SINTA. The Marxist Feminist Concept in the Character of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Yogyakarta: JurusansastraIngggris, FakultasSastra, UniversitasSanata Dharma, 2014.
Skripsi ini meneliti tentang karakter tokoh utama wanita dalam novel klasik ciptaan Jane Austen berjudul Persuasion, yang mencerminkan konsep Marxist Feminis. Hal ini sangat erat kaitannya dengan latar belakang sejarah cerita yaitu pada akhir abad ke 18 danawal abad ke 19, dimana jenis kelamin dan strata sosial dalam masyarakat sangat berpengaruh dalam segala aspek kehidupan.
Ada tiga pokok permasalahan yang akan diteliti dalam skripsi ini. Permasalahan pertama yang diteliti adalah karakter Anne Elliot. Permasalahan kedua adalah bagaimana permasalahan tentang jenis kelamin dan strata sosial yang dihadapi oleh Anne digambarkan di dalam cerita. Permasalahan terakhir adalah dari segi apakah tokoh Anne Elliot mencerminkan konsep Marxist Feminis.
Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kepustakaan, yaitu dengan mempelajari buku-buku yang memiliki kaitan dengan topik yang akan dibahas dalam penelitian ini. Oleh Karena itu, metode yang digunakan adalah metode kepustakaan.Buku-buku tentang teori kesusastraan digunakan untuk membantu memahami teori-teori yang relevan dengan topic pembahasan, dalam hal ini khusunya teori karakter untuk meneliti karakterisasi Anne Elliot. Selain teori karakter, teori lain yang mendukung penelitian ini adalah teori Marxist Feminis yang akan menjadi topik pembahasan lebih dalam. Buku-buku tentang pengetahuan dan sejarah juga digunakan untuk memahami lebih dalam mengenai sejarah kehidupan masyarakat Inggris pada sekitar akhir abad ke 18 dan awal abad ke 19.
1
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Literary works cannot be apart from characterization. Characters are extremely important because they are the medium through which a reader interacts with a piece of literature. By understanding the character, a reader can become more aware of other aspects of literature and more complete understanding of the work.
According to Stanton, character is commonly used in two ways. The first is that character designates the individuals who appear in the story. The second is that character refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that makes up each of these individuals. Character gives a certain situation or circumstance in the story because he or she shows his or her emotions in it (1965:17).
income or social status to please Anne's family so that Anne is persuaded to break off her engagement with Wentworth. Anne has no other choice except to obey the will of her family. It does not mean that Anne approves that kind of rule, but it is because she understands and respects the position of her family, especially her father. Here, the role of the family is very influential in making decision, especially to choose the marriage partner.
By the time Anne realizes that the fact about her past when her decision finally leads her to regret, makes her to be more mature and open minded woman in making the second decision that can influence her life forever. All things that she and Frederick have been through, change Anne’s mindset and perception on how a woman should have the encouragement to take her own decision to get a happiness.
By discovering the characteristics of the characters in the novel, it can lead the reader into a deeper understanding of the message that the author wants to deliver, especially through the woman main character, Anne Elliot. Women that at that time remain silent and obedient to the power of men become a discussion for centuries. They cannot express their feelings freely, without oppression by the rule of the family and society.
relationship with Frederick Wentworth, a man who has no good title which can impress him and the family. By this matter, Anne’s position as a daughter and as a woman is considered.
Jane Austen’s novels, including Persuasion revealed about the life of women in late 18th to 19th era. Since the discussion on women at that era is interesting to discuss, the character of Anne Elliot here can also give another opinion of what women should do to make a better life, and how women can deal with their conscience and the society that shapes them. It emphasizes the power of women through literary works that the writer wants to analyze.
In Jane Austen’sPersuasion, the economic issue is seen as another aspect that bring enormous influence towards the main character’s life. As W.H. Auden’s statement which is included in the introduction part of the novel:
“You could not shock her more than she shocks me; Beside her Joyce seems innocent as grass.
It makes me most uncomfortable to see an English spinster of the middle class describe the amorous effects of the “brass”, reveal so frankly and with such sobriety
the economic basis of society” (Auden, 2003: xiii).
B. Problem Formulation
In order to make a clear and organized discussion, the writer has formulated the problems as follows :
1. How is Anne Elliot described inPersuasionin relation to her gender and class status?
2. What issue of Marxist is experienced by Anne onPersuasion?
3. How does the character of Anne reflect the concept of Marxist Feminism?
C. Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is to answer the questions mentioned in the problem formulation above and to identify the woman major character Anne Elliot, in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion. From the character itself, the writer also tries to explain the way Anne Elliot is making decision. Anne Elliot encourages herself to change the “old” rules and seek for her true love to get a happier life. Through the change of mindset, she braves to take a decision on her own, no interference from family or other people. It has a close relation with the spirit of feminism that the writer wants to reveal through the character of Anne Elliot.
D. Definition of Terms
6
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A. Review of Related Studies
This discussion is not the only one that discusses Jane Austen’s
Persuasion. The topic of the study is diffrent, but there are other people who have
done the same topic in the previous years.
To make this discussion complete, the writer found other findings on the
same object. This chapter provides some related studies on previous findings
aboutPersuasionwith the topic that is discussed.
A thesis entitled “The Portrait of Ideal Woman in Early 19th Century British Society as Seen in Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion” by Selly
Handayani portrays Anne Elliot’s life as a woman of 19thcentury British society. She explains that the society expected an ideal woman to have good behavior,
able to fulfill the expectations of her society, maintain the traditional value of
domesticity, and have no weaknesses as the figure to look up to in the society.
“Anne Elliot bears a lot of good behaviors. She also has fulfilled one of her
society expectations, which was to marry a suitable match for her. This is proved
when Anne broke her engagement with Wentworth, a man she really loves, but
from the society’s point of view was not suitable for her” (2003:8).
Selly examines the characters of Anne to reveal the concept from the
figure of woman at that time since she is the daughter of noble person, and she
has good manners and attitudes. However, the writer wants to analyze further than
that. The writer figures out that the fact that Anne fulfilled the expectation of the
society is not the end, since in the end of the story, Anne changes her mind to
decide Wentworth as her partner of life.
Another related study is Elizabeth Kollman’s thesis entitled Jane Austen
Re-visited: A Feminist Evaluation of the Longevity and Relevance of the Austen
Oeuvre reviews feminism in Jane Austen’s works, including Persuasion. In her
thesis, Kollman states :
Austen does not necessarily express the wish to eradicate forms of power or oppression in her novels. Yet, if we read her work from a feminist point of view, we are made aware of the social construction of power. From her fiction we can infer that male power is enshrined in the very structure of society, and this makes us aware of women’s lack of power in her time (dspace.nmmu.ac.za, 2014).
Kollman thesis also shows that Austen’s novels, however, are not merely
novels of powerlessness but of empowerment. By creating rounded women
characters and by giving them the power to judge, to refuse and to write, Austen
challenges the stereotyped view of woman as weak and fragile angel. In addition,
her novels seem to question women’s inherited identity and to suggest that
qualities such as emotionality and mothering are not natural aspects of being a
woman.
Another criticism concerning Austen’s Persuasion entitled Jane
Tarlson. She analyzes Austen works, Persuasion compared with Pride and
Prejudice to examine the female character of each story, related to the spirit of
feminism.
The contextual frameworks for both of Jane Austen's novelsPride and
PrejudiceandPersuasionare so similar but the difference is, they have different
way to characterize the heroines. In Persuasion, Anne finally chooses Frederick
as her true love despite of the social class and economic reason. It happens
because Anne considers her own emotion, her own feeling, not because based on
certain standards.
The similarities juxtaposed with a discernible shift in the qualities of the heroine strongly suggest that Anne Elliot is a reworking of Elizabeth Bennet, and that the purpose ofPersuasionis to reinventPride and Prejudice. This reinvention shows Austen's reconsideration of the value and motives of marriage and gives even more intellectual and emotional credit toPersuasion's heroine (www.lurj.org, 2013).
From the criticisms above, the character of Anne Elliot is seen as the
important element in the story. Those previous discussions portray Anne’s life as
a figure of an ideal woman in late 18th century British society when social system was really fierce. Women had to be obedient due to the society’s prosecution.
Other related studies come from Therese Andersson on her essay “The
Importance of Class and Money-A Marxist Analysis of Jane Austen’s
Persuasion”. She discusses the same topic and theory with the writer, but the
difference is, in her essay, Andersson highlights the view of Marxist analysis
examining those characters, her explanations show more about the issue of
Marxist rather than of Feminist. On the other hand, the writer tries to comprehend
the issue of Marxist in the scope of Feminism, through the character of Anne
Elliot.
Besides evaluating Marxist analysis through some characters, Andersson
also explains about Jane Austen and her era to give more information and
understanding of the discussion related to the Austen social-historical
background.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character
M.H Abrams defines character as the person presented in a dramatic or
narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral
and disposition qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and by
what they do- the action (Abrams,1981: 20-21).
While according to Henkle, characters can also be described as “major”
and “secondary” ones. Major characters are the most significant characters in a
novel. They can be identified through the complexity of their characterization, the
attention given certain figures, and the personal intensity that a character seems to
transmit. The major character will completely need our fullest attention because
they perform ‘a key structural function’. Through their existence, we built
the ability of the major character in expressing and dramatizing the human issues
of the novel will determine its effectiveness. (Henkle, 1997: 87-101)
2. Theory of Characterization
Characterization is the creation of imaginary persons so that they exist for
the readers as a lifelike (Holman and Harmon, 1985: 81). There are three
fundamental way characterizations in fiction according to Holman and Harmon :
a. The explicit presentation by the author of the character to direct
exposition, either in introductory block or more over piecemeal
throughout the work, illustrated by the action.
b. The presentation of the character in action with little or no explicit
comment by the author, in the expectation that the reader will be able to
deduce the attribute of the actor from the actions.
c. The presentation from within character, without comment on the character
by the author, of the impact of actions and emotions on the character’s
inner self, with the expectation that the reader will come to clear
understanding of the attributes of the character. (1985: 81)
3. Theory of Marxist Feminism
Based on the book Beginning Theory by Peter Barry, Marxist criticism
to the society. It actually has a close relation with the economical problem since
economic cannot be apart from the class levels.
Marxist criticism refers to Marxist theory that sees progress as coming about through the struggle for power between different social classes. This view of history as class struggle regards it as ‘motored’ by the competition for economic, social, and political advantage. The exploitation of one social class by another is seen especially in modern industrial capitalism, particularly in its unrestricted 19thcentury form (Barry, 2002: 157).
In this discussion, the theory of Marxist that is applied is the part of
superstructure model of Marxist, which contains the cultural world of ideas, art,
religion, law, and so on. In this point, Barry also explains that “the essential
Marxist view is that the latter things are not innocent, but are determined (or
shaped) by the nature of the economic base” (Barry, 2002: 158). This belief is the
central part of traditional Marxist thinking, known as economic determinism. In
addition, the writer’s social class and ideology have a big contribution to the
work. So the context of the work is related to the social-class status of the author.
According to Karl Marx, the main idea of Marxism is that “instead of
making abstract affirmations about a whole group of problems such as man,
knowledge, matter, and nature, he examines each problem in its dynamic relation
to the others and, above all, tries to relate them to historical, social, political, and
economic realities”. Marxist literary criticism sees art cannot be separated from
the society. It influences each other and related one another. And the concern of
Marxist literary criticism is the relationship between the economy and the
The first thing that one needs to do in order to do a Marxist analysis is
then, according to Eagleton, “to understand the complex, indirect relations
between works (of art) and the ideological worlds they inhabit” (2002: 6). It has
connection with what Haslett states that “art is social because it is produced and
received in concrete contexts, and because the creator is someone with a class,
gender and racial identity, the author is, unavoidably, part of her own context”
(Haslett, 2000: 8).
Marxist actually discusses not only in one aspect, but also many other
aspects and relate them in one scope of theory.
Marxist literary theories are not homogenous, and there is no one way to do a Marxist analysis, but all approaches have in common that they try both to convey the relationship between literature and society and to challenge the separation which this relationship entails. Literature is situated within the larger parameters of social, economical and cultural history, effectively erasing the division between ‘literary’ and ‘cultural’ theory (Haslett, 2000: 9-10).
Marxist critics also claim that the aspects that we accept as characteristics
of a certain age, are only expressions of the class that dominated during that
period of time.
While Marxist discuss about the social structure where class and society
become the basic issue, Feminism mostly discuss about the problem of women’s
inequality in society.
C. Review of Social Class in Jane Austen’sPersuasion
In the introduction part of Austen’s work Persuasion, Susan O. Weisser
(2003) reviews Persuasion as showing the obsession with hierarchical rankings of
value, both social and moral. Concerning the story that takes place in late 18thto 19th century and Austen social background, the story emphasizes the oppression on
women at that time in terms of class, gender, and work.
The readers are made intensely aware not only of shades of dominance in
class, but of discriminations between the value of old and young, married and
unmarried, sons and daughters, older sisters and younger, the respectable and the
vulgar, and of the frequent arbitrariness of these unearned distinctions of worth and
power. “The titled are often fools, vain, pompous, deluded by love and
self-importance, all of which implies that the author seeks ironic distance from a world
that makes class distinctions in particular the barometer of personal worth” (Weisser,
2003).
The fact already seen is that class is an important part of the society. Sir
Walter Elliot is obsessed with his social status. Therefore, he obliges Anne to choose
the suitable partner for the marriage, because the status of the family can be
of a family or a woman depends on the status of her husband. The connections
(connexions) in the upper classes are also regarded as an important thing.
D. Review of Women’s Status in the Late 18th and Early 19th Century British Society
According to Stone, in terms of power to make a match, four basic options
were available in the 18thcentury society.
The first is that the choice was made entirely by parents, kin and family friends, without the advice or consent of the bride or groom. The second option is that the choice was also made by parents before but the children are granted a right of veto, to be exercised on the basis of one or two formal interviews which took place after the two sets of parents and kin had agreed on the match. This right could be exercised only once or twice and tends to be more readily concerned to the groom than to the bride. The third option, made necessary by the rise of individualism, was that choice was made by children themselves, on the understanding that children will make it from a family of more or less equal financial and status position and the parent have the right of veto. The fourth option, which was very rare in the eighteenth century, especially among upper classes, was that the children made their own choice, and merely informed their parents of their decision (Stone,1990:181-182).
Young women could be controlled more easily because of their rather
passive role in a courtship and their marriages ensured their economic security.
Daughters were in a weak position because their only future lay in a marriage.
Sometimes the manoeuvres to marry off a daughter, especially in upper class
circles in late eighteenth century, turned into a desperate man-hunt. (Dobosiova,
Women’s status and position in the late 18thcentury is depicted as powerless and have no authority, especially for those who come from upper and middle class
family, to choose the marriage partner freely despite of the social rank or status.
Wollstonecraft states in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: “They (women) are
regarded as weak creatures dependent on men to whom they are obliged to look for
protection, advice, and every comfort; they still have no power over themselves”
(1975: 131-133).
Yet in the early 19th century, the equal liberty of women start appears. Tong restates John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor’s idea that “if society is to achieve
sexual equality, or gender justice, then society must provide women with the same
political rights and economic opportunities as well as the same education that men
enjoy” (2009: 16). Tong also restates the statement of “using your head to get what
you want”. Women are not only assumed as silent object or instrument to get
something that can bring advantage to men. “Mill and Taylor claimed the ordinary
way to maximize aggregate utility (happiness or pleasure) is to permit individuals
to pursue their desires, provided the individuals do not hinder or obstruct each other
in the process” (Tong, 2009: 16).
E. Review of Class, Title and Rank in Jane Austen’s Time
During the time of Jane Austen’s life, class is part of the everyday life. The
phenomenon drives Austen to observe how it works in the society and then she
writes it in her novels. Copeland and McMaster state that “her (Austen) novels
should show people in their social roles, and be precise about the differences
between them” (1997: 128). In addition, Copeland and McMaster explain that “in
Austen’s world, social status was always pertinent, but people were to be judged by
standards higher and more durable than this” (Copeland and McMaster, 1997: 129).
Moreover, the social status is perceptible for women in upper and middle class.
Women at that time are supposed to take their status in society from their husbands.
On top of the social ladder in Jane Austen’s time is, of course, the Royal Family. Below Royalty is what is known as the Peerage, a system of titles and nobility and a part of the British honours system. The highest title in the Peerage is Duke and Duchess, under which are four titles: highest is Marquis and Marquise, then comes Earl and Countess, after that Viscount and Viscountess, and finally Baron and Baroness (janeausten.co.uk, 2014).
Here we can see such hierarchical power which exists at that time. The level of rank
determines people for belonging to certain classes and who they will socialize with.
F. Theoretical Framework
To support the analysis, the writer applies the theory of character and
characterization to reveal Anne’s Elliot character in Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Anne’s actions, dialogues, thought, and experiences are examined in order to get
deeper understanding of the character , which is related to the concept of Marxist
Feminism.
To show the concept of Marxist feminism which is presented by the character
of Anne Elliot, the theory of Marxist Feminism is needed. Concerning the period
when the story happened, the social class was very influential in every aspects of
life, and the patriarchal system in the family was very strong. Feminists pointed out
that in late 18th and early 19th century fiction very few women work for a living, unless they are driven to it by dire necessity. Instead, the focus of interest is on the
heroine’s choice of marriage partner which will decide her ultimate social position
and exclusively determine her happiness and fulfillment in life.
In the story, the character of Anne reflects the issue of gender and class in the
society. Through her thoughts, utterances, and attitudes, Anne shows how she is
dealing with the issue and how she finally solves the problem. Anne who is used to
be persuaded to brake off her engagement with Frederick Wentworth, realizes that
woman should not be restrained by the rules of family and society, that power, class,
and social status do matter in determining someone’s happiness in life. Women have
freedom to choose her partner despite of the differences in class and women are
The relation between Anne’s characteristics and the problem that she faces,
shows that Anne Elliot reflects the concept of feminism, especially Marxist
19
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study in this analysis isPersuasionby Jane Austen. The
novel consists of 249 pages, and divided into 24 chapters. Persuasionis Jane
Austen’s last completed novel, yet it does not appear until 1818, after she passed
away. It is also shorter than most of her other novels.
Persuasionis actually a novel that is made by Austen to criticize the
condition of Austen’s time, especially about social class in the form of love story.
Since Austen writes realistic novels, the background of the story of Persuasion
takes place in Bath, a fashionable health resort which Jane Austen was well
acquainted and has lived there from 1801 to 1805.
In 1995, Persuasion and three other Austen’s novels: Emma, Sense and
Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice are made into films. Persuasion film is
produced by BBC’s lavish production with Roger Michell as the director, and it is
the most challenging to adapt into film since it deals primarily with an unspoken
psychology of love.
B. Approach of the Study
In conducting the analysis, the writer uses Marxist feminist approach. The
the woman main character, Anne Elliot when (at that time) dealing with social
class, gender and the power of patriarchal family that oppressed her too seek her
happiness and freedom to take decision. By analyzing this problem, the writer
wants to discover the spirit of feminism reflected by Anne Elliot.
In the story, the existence of patriarchal family is very strong since Anne’s
father who has a high position in the family, rules every matter. Almost all of the
decisions and ideas are based on economical power in the society. As Frederick
Engels states inOrigin of the Family, Private Property and the State(1942),
Communal, matrilineal societies were violently replaced with patriarchal societies in which individual wealth and private property were key (patriarchal, profit-driven societies became dominant by conquest and colonialism, though remnants of matrilineal culture survived in tribal societies throughout the world). From a position of early leadership and respect, women became powerless domestic slaves
(http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/philosophy/Introduction-to-Marxist-Feminism.html).
Women become domestic slaves here means that women can only be appreciated
on domestic works and have to obey the rule of the men as the holder of the
authority in work and household.In other sources, Engels also states,
Women loose power when private property comes into existence as a mode of production. Men's control of private property, and the ability thereby to generate a surplus, changes the family form to a patriarchal one where women, and often slaves, become the property of the father and husband (plato.stanford.edu).
In Feminist Thought,Rosemarie Tong emphasizes that Marxist feminism
enable women to express what they want freely, that women always become a
impossible for anyone, especially women, to achieve true freedom in a
class-based society, where the wealth produced by the powerless many ends up in the
hands of the powerful few” (Tong, 2009: 4). Also on the same part of the book,
Tong restates what Friedrich Engels suggested.
Marxist feminists insist women’s oppression originated in the introduction of private property, an institution that obliterated whatever equality of community humans had previously enjoyed. Private ownership of the means of production by relatively few persons, originally all male, inaugurated a class system whose contemporary manifestations are corporate capitalism and imperialism (2009: 4).
Based on Feminist Theory and Literary Practice, Deborah L. Madsen,
states that “Marxist feminism is organized around the basic conflicts between
capitalism versus patriarchy and class versus gender oppression. Marxist
feminism combines the study of class with the analysis of gender” (Madsen,
2000: 65). It examines the injustice of gender caused by the issue of class.
Another supporting idea about this theory is by Lilian S. Robinson who
states “…that the focus of Marxist feminist is the relationship between class and
gender oppression and the structural elements that determine the quality and
nature of our experience as gendered beings” (Robinson,1978: 75). Here the
scope of the analysis is more specific. The oppression of gender, especially which
is experienced by women is closely related with the class system that exist in
certain place and society, and Marxist Feminism focuses on that issue.
On Women’s Oppression Today: the Problem in Marxist Analysis,
not in terms of the biological basis of power relations but in terms of class
analysis, to allow a more properly materialist understanding of women’s
oppression” (1980: 70).
The approach is used to give a further understanding to get the idea of
Marxist feminism that applied on literary work and to analyze the topic of this
discussion.
C. Method of the Study
The study was conducted based on written source from books and articles. The
writer also gets supporting information by some journals and articles from the
internet. Therefore, the type of the study was library research.
The main source of the study was the novel titled Persuasion by Jane Austen.
While the secondary sources were books and articles regarding Jane Austen’s works,
and other books or articles about the related studies and related theories.
There are some steps taken in analyzing the novel. The first step is reading the
novel to examine the woman main character, Anne Elliot, and to get the idea of how
the character is characterized in the novel. By reading the novel, the writer also tries
to understand the content of the work to prevent wrong comprehension about the
character that the writer wants to analyze.
The second step is studying the social and historical background of the society
exists at that time. Then the analysis would pay attention at the women’s life in the
society in late 18thand early 19thcentury British society.
The third step is finding and examining some theories that are suitable with the
topic that the writer wants to discuss. The theory of character and characterization
are used by the writer to analyze further about the character, especially woman main
character in the novel in order to answer the first problem formulations. The review
of social and historical background of 18th and 19th century is also examined by the
writer to answer the second problem formulation. This review can be related through
the concept of Marxist Feminist that will be discussed on the next problem. The
writer is studying the theory of Feminism to identify what kind of approach of
Feminism that the writer wants to highlight from the character of Anne. This theory
of Feminism, especially Marxist Feminism is used to answer the third problem
24
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
A. The Description of Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’sPersuasion
1. Anne Elliot as a Woman in the Society
Anne has attractive performance and personality. A woman is usually
acknowledged by her outer and inner beauty, and Anne has those criteria. Her inner
beauty is actually something that is hard to find in women in general. “Anne, an
extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling” (IV:25). These
characteristics might be the reasons why Frederick Wentworth can feel deeply in
love with her. While Frederick himself, is a remarkably fine young man, with a great
deal of intelligence and spirit, even though his social status is lower than Anne.
After Anne off to Uppercross, she gets a new experience, new atmosphere,
meets a lot of people, but she is the kind of woman who can adjust herself easily.
She does not mind to associate with anybody without mind about their age, their
rank, and so on. Anne, the figure of sweet mind and nice behavior, cannot disappear
from people’s mind from the very beginning they met Anne. “She was always on
friendly terms with her brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as
well, and respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
interest amusement, and wholesome exertion” (VI:41). The character of Anne here
However, behind her warm and friendly character, Anne actually has another
side of herself that is private and introvert. She likes playing music, especially piano.
Sometimes she expresses her feeling, her emotion, and her loneliness through music.
“She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; …In music
she had been always used to feel alone in the world” (VI:44-45). Even though
nothing seems worry to her, but inside, Anne is a lonely girl, that since the age of
fourteen loss the figure of her dear mother, never known the happiness of being
listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation. She ‘enjoys’ her loneliness
through music.
Music is a part of Anne’s life. Even though her life is not as cheerful as the
music, but she can bring joy and pleasure to everybody who listens to her music.
Like when Anne comes to the party at the Great House, she plays a country dance by
piano and she draws compliments. “Well done, Miss Anne! Very well done indeed!
Lord bless me! How those little fingers of yours fly about!” (VI:45). From her skill
on playing such a great music, Anne can be characterized as a talented woman.
Anne is completed with an open-minded character. Her open-mindedness can
be seen through her point of view about equality. She thinks that people are equal
regardless of their job. “The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at
least an equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the
privileges which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts,
we must all allow” (III:19). The social status of her father as a baronet, makes her
perception about that. Unfortunately, this point is something that finally will lead
Anne into a dilemma.
That perception about the equality on work can be reflected through Anne’s
experience. She felt deeply in love with Frederick Wentworth, a young naval officer,
which is unfortunately rejected by Anne’s family. Anne accepts Wentworth just the
way he is, and she just does not care about the inequality between them. “Anne
Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw herself away at
nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young man, who had
nothing but himself, to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining affluence, but in
the chances of a most uncertain profession….”(IV:25-26)
The figure of Anne is a woman with pure heart and mind. She conforms to
other people from any grades, any social ranks, or even any ages. That is the reason
why she can be accepted by everybody. When Anne, Charles, and Mary want to
attend a party held by The Musgroves, suddenly an unexpected accident happens.
Little Charles, the son of Mary and Charles Hayter, got an injury and had to be kept
in bed. Whereas, Charles and Mary really want to go to that party and meet the other
relatives that night. Anne hereafter, by her own proposal, undertakes to stay with
little Charles, to take care and nurse him. She says to Mary, “Well, if you don’t think
it too late to give notice for yourself, suppose you were to go, as well as your
husband. Leave little Charles to my care. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove cannot think it
wrong, while I remain with him” (VII:55). Anne’s consideration makes Mary
yours, indeed, Anne” (VII:55). Even Charles, her husband thanked Anne’s sincerity
and kindness. From here, Anne reflects the characteristic of being kind and sincere.
Besides that, she is also a caring person and good in nursing.
The same thing happens when Louisa fell from the high part of the new Cobb.
Her eyes are closed and she does not breath, her face was like a death. Anne is really
responsive in such condition. She knows what to do to help Louisa. “Rub her hands,
rub her temples; here are salts, take them.” (XII:105). Anne’s proficiency is really
needed and trusted. In such urgent and tense situation, Charles and Wentworth for
many times asking Anne for what they have to do to help Louisa. Charles
cried,”Anne, Anne, what is to be done next? What, in heaven’s name, is to be done
next?” (XII:106). In this case, it is very clear that Anne is very helpful and capable
of handling everything. For the many times, she becomes a guardian angel for
people around her. Besides, Anne is also a trustworthy person. People believe that
Anne is right in doing anything and people believe on what she says. Even
Wentworth admits: “If Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as Anne!”
(XII:109).
Every woman has her own beauty and what is called sex appeal. A woman
can be described as a perfect creature of God if she is beautiful both of her heart and
behavior. In chapter 12, it is explained when Mr.Elliot sees Anne for the first time,
he admires Anne and likes her for the very first sight. Anne’s performance is
“Anne’s face caught his eye, and he looked at her with a degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of. She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of eye which it had also produced. It was evident that the gentleman, (completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly” (XII:100).
In this novel, Anne can be described as a perfect figure of woman, because besides
she is full of benevolent, she also has attractive appearance which can attract people,
especially man who sees her. With her gentleness of heart and great presentation,
Anne is described as a lovable person.
Besides Mr. Elliot, there is also Captain Benwick, a friend of Frederick
Wentworth, who admits Anne as an ideal figure of woman. Charles, who is hearing
Captain Benwick tells about Anne, extend the information of what have been said by
Captain Benwick about Anne to Mary and Lady Russell. “Elegance, sweetness,
beauty. Oh! There was no end of Miss Elliot’s charms” (XIV:123). From here, it can
be seen that the character of Anne Elliot is admirable. Her nature gains attention
from every body, and her genuineness of heart and thought are worth admired.
Gentlemen such Captain Wentworth, Mr. Elliot, and Captain Benwick acknowledge
the meaning of real beauty from the figure of Anne.
Related to that point, Captain Wentworth, after dealing with his dilemma,
whether to show her feeling or to stay away from Anne because of the pain from the
past, finally confesses that he cannot forget Anne as the one who cannot be replaced
by another woman. It means that Anne is irreplaceable. In chapter 23, it is explained
“…You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago. Dare not to say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice, when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating in” (XXIII:224).
When Anne moves to Lyme and stay with The Musgroves, she has done many
things to make The Musgroves feel impressed. Anne brings such a different
atmosphere to them. The presence of Anne among them is like bearing blessings.
“But Mrs.Musgrove, who got Anne near her on purpose to thank her most cordially, again and again, for all her attention to them, concluded a short recapitulation of what she had suffered herself, by observing, with a happy glance round the room, that after all she had gone through, nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home” (XIV:126).
Anne, with her gentle manner, always tries to make people around her feel
affection. Her caring for people can be seen naturally through her actions. People
feel blessed with her presence. “Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and
thought, which instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest
comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to assuage the feelings
of Captain Wentworth” (XII:106).
The character of Anne is different with any other Austen’s woman characters.
situation rather than complaining about to become a “victim” of injustice. The
“escape” is not shown in an aggressive attitude yet more in the way of feelings and
thoughts. Anne can be seen as having qualities that reflect her self-esteem toward
woman existence. She realizes the requirements of the society on how the woman is
expected to be yet in her silence feeling, she thinks and speaks a lot in mind.
Anne was nineteen when she was persuaded to break off the engagement with
Wentworth, but by the time flies, she grows as twenty seven year old woman who
has a lot of experiences. She becomes mature and wise. The pain of the past and
limitation that she experienced, have something to teach her. Her maturity can be
seen when she is not angry and put the blame on Lady Russell for persuading her
breaking off the engagement, but she tries to look deeper on something positive she
can get from what has happened.
The first decision of Anne when she obeys to break off the engagement is
evidently not all a mistake. Even though Anne has been persuaded to keep her
family’s reputation, while actually it turns out that it misguides her, she always
keeps a little space in mind to question about right and wrong, and to accept the
reality or, conversely, escape from it.
In the end, Anne’s independent mind leads her to something big in her life that
become the starting way to pursue the real value of happiness and freedom. For
women at that time, who cannot speak their mind because of the repression of the
2. Anne Elliot as a Daughter of a Noble Family
Anne Elliot is one of woman characters of Persuasion. The condition and situation of her family makes her lose the purity of adolescence while it obliges her to
fulfill some adjustments that lead her into a bridle. From the issue experienced by
Anne, she is depicted as the unhappy character yet in the end, she is the happiest one.
The story tells Anne’s condition since her mother, Lady Elliot, passed away,
then she and her sisters are raised by their father. It is explained that their father, Sir
Walter Elliot is unwise and uphold the pride of being a noble. His status as a baronet,
which is considered as a high position job, gives him such kind of authority to
conduct. The baronetcy brings him an endless pride and vanity. With a strong role of
her father in the family, it is understandable that the daughter must obey the father’s
will no matter what in order to maintain the rank and status of the family. Such rule
not only exists in the family, but also in the society where they live. Therefore, people
have understood the social order of the society, of what women should and should not
do.
While Anne lives in such family and society, she is extraordinary. Anne is
depicted as the figure of an ideal woman. “…but Anne, with an elegance of mind
and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real
understanding, was nobody with either father or sister: her word had no weight; her
convenience was always to give way; she was only Anne” (I: 5). For a people who
family. She does not only concern on the class, the wealth, and rules. She
understands her position in the family, but she also remembers her nature as a
woman. That is why her gentle manner is acknowledged by people. To Lady
Russell, a best friend of Anne’s dear mother, instead of Elizabeth and Mary, it is
only Anne who has similarities with her mother. “To Lady Russell, indeed, she was
a most dear and highly valued god-daughter, favourite and friend. Lady Russell
loved them all; but it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive
again” (I: 5).
Trouble soon arose when Sir Walter finds out that her daughter, Anne, is
acquainted and engaged with an “ordinary” man, Frederick Wentworth. Anne and
Wentworth do not have their relationship accepted by Sir Walter. For Sir Walter, it
is such a degrading alliance if her daughter married Wentworth. “Sir Walter, on
being applied to, without actually withholding his consent, or saying it should never
be, gave it all the negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a
professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter” (IV:25).
Despite of her families’ perspective about Wentworth and his career as a
navy, Anne with her gentle manner and elegant mind, accept Frederick as her love.
She is different, indeed, in case of her behavior as a daughter of a baronet, but she
chooses to live humble yet still, in an elegant way. She does not care about rank or
social status in the society, including Wentworth’s status.
should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that would lead to everything he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew he should be so still. Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and bewitching in the wit which often expressed it, must have been enough for Anne” (IV:26).
Even after Anne is persuaded by Lady Russell, a relative of her parents, to
break off the engagement with Wentworth, she still cares about him. She knows that
it hurts, but her feeling never lie. Anne is kind of loyal person in relationship. She
cannot resist her saddest feeling when says to herself: “He has not, perhaps, a more
sorrowing heart than I have. I cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever. He is
younger than I am, younger in feeling, if not in fact, younger as a man. He will rally
again, and be happy with another” (XI:93). That statement can be understood that
Anne becomes weak after Wentworth’s leaving and it shows Anne’s lamentation
after losing someone she loves.
It is clearly seen that Anne shows her courage through the way she against her
father’s arrogance and opposes the law of the family that wealth and social status is
the most important aspects in life. Anne understands that her status as a member of
the upper class obliges her to marry a suitable partner based on the requirements of
her family. She is conscious of the social structure that exists in the environment
where she lives but it does not mean that she can deal with it wholeheartedly.
Therefore, it can be understood that the reason Anne accepts to break off with
Frederick is because she realizes her position as a daughter of noble person and
understands what her family expects from her. Anne, in her young age, does not
land, she only wants to materialize her responsibility as a daughter and sacrifices her
own feeling.
B. The Marxist Issues Experienced by Anne
On the introduction part of the novel, W.H. Auden paraphrases the issue
contains in the novel in a short poem:
….
An English spinster of the middle class Describe the amorous effects of “brass” Reveal so frankly and with such sobriety The economic basis of society
The novelPersuasionis described with the historical background of early 19th century British society, where the power of social class, job, and economic status are
very crucial and influential at that time. People from the upper class do not want to
be associated with people from lower class. It really stick with the idea where people
just mainly considering about power and wealth. Besides, as the job that mostly be
done by man, patriarchal system at that era did exist, especially in the family rules.
Men (especially father) have a strong authority for taking decisions, while women do
not have authority or even chance to against the authority due to the condition where
class is the main thing that has to be maintained. Anne who came from upper class
family, a daughter of a baronet, could not get a freedom to choose her own
decisions. The oppression from the society that women have certain rules to do, sent
In the perspective of Anne’s family, connexions (connections) is the
important thing for those who belong to a noble class. That is why Anne’s family
rejected the relationship between Anne and Frederick while they are about to marry
because they judge Wentworth as a navy cannot bring a fortune to the family.
She (Anne) involves herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young man, who has nothing but himself to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain profession, and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in that profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away, which she grieved to think of (IV:26).
Anne, who has no power and authority in the family, has to do the will of the family
since she realizes her position as a daughter of a baronet. Besides, Anne will be noted
to live in a “grief” since if she married Wentworth, she will live in a family which the
social class and status is considered beneath from her family’s.
Anne Elliot, so young , known to so few, to be snatched off by a stranger without alliance or fortune, or rather sunk by him into a state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependance! It must not be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from one who had almost a mother’s love, and mother’s rights, it would be prevented (IV:26).
In the introduction part of the novel, it is stated that when the plot moves
Anne and her family to Bath, where people and places and habits and speech are
constantly classified, she is exposed to limitations in the society with its sharp social
distinctions and fine gradations of who stays where and appears with whom. It
shows a strong system of classification, through a range of discriminations among
lovers, friends, relations, levels of income, taste in art, fashions, etc (Weisser,
The gender differences in the novel are due to economics (women cannot
earn their living, while the men can, which gives them more power and mobility)
and women's inability to escape their families (they must be daughters until they are
wives, which limits how their identity can develop). Anne realizes those set of
problems. She understands her position as a daughter and she is surrounded by rules.
All that she can do is obeying the rules, stays at home, do some domestic works, and
so on. From the way she lives, it turns out that Anne becomes a person full of care
and good in nursing. It can be seen when little Charles is getting sick, Charles (his
father) chooses to attend the dinner party with the Musgroves instead of nursing his
child. He considers that that kind of thing is woman’s job, woman’s authority. Anne
statement, “…and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. Nursing does not
belong to a man, it is not his province” (VII:54) shows that she is aware of such
“division of labor” between man and woman.
At the time when the story takes place, men dominance is seen in almost all
aspects of life. It seems like all women were born unequal with the men. Even
though Anne is a middle class woman, she is still cannot get whatever she wants
freely. In fact, she lives in limitation and full of roles, like a bird in the golden cage.
This is related to Wollstonecraft’s statements in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,as cited inFeminist Thoughtby Rosemarie Tong (2009:13) :
they were discouraged from developing their powers of reason, given that a great premium was placed on indulging self and gratifying others, especially men and children, they lacked virtue (Wollstonecraft, 1975).
The other aspect that women cannot enjoy is education. They get the main
education from the family, while higher and formal education belongs to men. In
Persuasion, this kind of issue does exist. It is stated by Anne: “Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much
higher a degree. The pen has been in their hands” (XXIII:221). Men’s role are very
offensive and strongly influence at that time. The dominance of men in almost all
aspects, trigger the oppression towards women. In the case of Anne Elliot, the
oppression is based on gender, class, and work.
The story ofPersuasion does not begin with its central character, Anne Elliot. Instead the first pages are devoted to her father and his obsessive vanity about his
lineage as baronet, from which follows his contempt for those he considers beneath
him. Anne’s father, Sir Walter Elliot, is a person who is growing distressed for
money (I: 9).
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character: vanity of person and of situation. …He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion (I: 4).
Sir Walter Elliot’s position as the head of the family and also as a baronet,
makes him powerful to control the family. The worse is that power is full with
In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, it is clearly explained that Anne family, especially her father does not allow Anne for having a relationship with Frederick
Wentworth, a people she loves, because Frederick who comes from lower class
society, cannot give good reputation for Anne’s family. Lady Russell who is a best
friend of Anne’s mother and she has been reputed as the part of Anne’s family,
persuades Anne to give up her relation with Frederick. Anne breaks off the
engagement with Frederick for the sake of family dignity and follows the rule of the
society. Lady Russell is the one whose advice is listened to by Anne. Besides, Lady
Russell has always brought influence to the member o the family. Like what
Henrietta says about Lady Russell: “I have always heard of Lady Russell, as a
woman of the greatest influence with every body! I always look upon her as able to
persuade a person to any thing!” (XII:99).
To Lady Russell herself, she regards Anne as her responsibility, after the
death of Anne’s mother, her best friend. Lady Russell wants Anne to maintain the
title of Lady Elliot and not to overthrow the rank, the prestige, of The Elliots. As
Lady Elliot says to Anne: “I own that to be able to regard you as the future mistress
of Kellynch, the future Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying your dear
mother’s place, succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as to all
her virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me” (XVII:150). From
Lady Russell’s statement, it can be understood the reason of Lady Russell to
persuade Anne breaking off the engagement with Frederick Wentworth, who at that
The role of Lady Russell for Anne is quite important. As it is explained by
Susan Ostrov Weisser on the introduction part of the novel: “Anne “relies” on Lady
Russell as a mother, the one who combines wisdom with “tenderness”. Yet Lady
Russell is immediately shown up as narrow and self-interested when she wishes
Anne would marry the mediocre Charles Musgrove because of his landed property,
general importance, good character and appearance, and (apparently not least
important) his location “near herself””. It is also stated that Lady Russell is the
temporary impediment in that she has a value for rank and consequence that “blinds”
her. Her decisive victory over the lovers at this point groups her with those who
defend social hierarchies as fixed and given, so that she stands in need of correction
by Anne.
From here it can be seen that family, relatives, or even friends can be very
influential towards other’s life. Moreover, in that society, where capitalism culture is
very strong, the term of “alienation” can be created. Anne itself, realizing that
alienation happens to her. It is stated: “How absurd to be resuming the agitation
which such an interval had banished into distance and indistinctness! What might
not eight years do? Events of every description, changes, alienations, removals, all must be comprised in it” (VIII:57). That statement is closely related to the concept of
alienation by Alison Jaggar which is explained in Feminist Thought by Rosemarie Putnam Tong:
friends) that could be a source of women’s integration as persons becomes instead a cause of their disintegration (Tong, 2009: 5).
The starting point of the overall problem is actually when The Elliots is in
financial difficulties. Here it can be known that the high ranking of this family on the
social hierarchy does not guarantee the stability of their economic value. Because of
the financial problem, they go after something that can “save” them from bankruptcy
and keep the family’s name from degradation. The problem does not stop here. To
cover the economic problem without degrading the prestige, Anne has to marry with
somebody that can lift up her family status. It can be seen on the novel:
Their two confidential friends, Mr.Shepherd, who lived in the neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell were called on to advise them; and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassment and reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of any indulgence of taste or pride (I:10).
The Elliots finally rent an estate and live at less expense in Bath for winter.
The family who rent The Elliots home turn out to be the sister and brother in law of
Frederick Wentworth. Since then, Anne and Wentworth spend much of the days
moving in the same social circles.
On the other hand, Sir Walter Elliot, Anne’s father, would like to match Anne
with Mr.Elliot, who will be considered as the next heirs of Sir Elliot, as the baronet.
But Anne finds out the cunning of Mr.Elliot from Mrs.Smith. Anne finally finds out
that Mr.Elliot wants to marry her completely for money. Mrs. Smith tells her:
“Money, money, was all that he wanted” (XXI:190). Mr. Ellliot is also described as
