Persuasion Read-Along: Chapter 14

Here we get a long bantering visit with Charles, Mary and Lady Russell (whom somehow I never particularly like in this chapter :)), and also a hearty taste of the Musgrove’s wonderfully jolly Christmas festivities! With its “tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn and pies” and its “roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be heard” over all the talk and laughter and children, it always makes me think of a (cheerful) Dickens scene.

Also, with Captain Benwick’s continued interest spoken of and Mr. Elliot mentioned, we again clearly have two other potential suitors hovering on the outskirts. Meanwhile, Captain Wentworth has gone off to visit his brother in Shropshire(!) and Anne and Lady Russell take leave of the country and make their official entrance into Bath, which marks our full transition to the second half of the book!

Some favorite lines/quotes:

“Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. …there had been so much going on every day, there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the Harvilles, and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often, that the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme.” pg. 126-127

“No,” admitted Charles, “I do not know that he ever does, in a general way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you exceedingly. His head is full of some books that he is reading upon your recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has found out something or other in one of them which he thinks—oh! I cannot pretend to remember it, but it was something very fine—I overheard him telling Henrietta all about it; and then ‘Miss Elliot’ was spoken of in the highest terms! Now Mary, I declare it was so, I heard it myself, and you were in the other room. ‘Elegance, sweetness, beauty.’ Oh! there was no end of Miss Elliot's charms.” pg. 128

“So do I, Anne,” said Charles. “I am sure Lady Russell would like him. He is just Lady Russell’s sort. Give him a book, and he will read all day long.” “Yes, that he will!” exclaimed Mary, tauntingly. “He will sit poring over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one drop's one's scissors, or anything that happens…” pg. 129

“Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather than their quantity…” pg. 131-132

“Anne did not share these feelings. She persisted in a very determined, though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her when she arrived? And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.” pg. 132

Possible discussion question/s:

~ Do you think Captain Benwick would be “just Lady Russell’s sort?” He’s a bit of an enigma—a quite diffident man who yet successfully commanded a ship. Do you think he’s different in action versus private life?