Persuasion Read-Along: Chapter 15

A line from this chapter that springs out at me is Anne’s when she thinks of “the littlenesses of a town.” Coming from all the deep doings at Uppercross and Lyme, where hearts are hurting (some openly, some privately)—coming from a group of people who have just dealt with a tragedy (experiencing the tight-binding activity that such a tragedy produces—with everyone thinking and acting and being motivated together), the “littlenesses” line seems to apply in many ways to this entire chapter. Not that there can’t be deeply aching hearts in Bath, but all in all it’s a tremendously sudden contrast.

Mr. Elliot is now firmly in the picture. Reading it with a broad mind, I was noticing this time around how much he is apparently uniting in his person both the polish and sophistication of high society with a genuinely warm gentleness and concern. So do we have a new phenomenon appearing? Or is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Only time will tell!

Some favorite lines/quotes:

“It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced. He had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every woman's eye was upon him; every woman’s eye was sure to be upon Colonel Wallis.” Modest Sir Walter! He was not allowed to escape, however. His daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis's companion might have as good a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not sandy-haired.” pg. 138-139 

(Sir Walter about Mary): “The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that may not happen every day.” “Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental. In general she has been in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas.” pg. 139

“It was possible that he (Mr. Elliot) might stop in his way home to ask them how they did. They could think of no one else. Mrs. Clay decidedly thought it Mr. Elliot’s knock." Mrs. Clay was right. With all the state which a butler and foot-boy could give, Mr. Elliot was ushered into the room.” pg. 139

“…Anne, smiling and blushing, very becomingly shewed to Mr. Elliot the pretty features which he had by no means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement at his little start of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she was. He looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an acquaintance already. He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so exactly what they ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly agreeable, that she could compare them in excellence to only one person's manners. They were not the same, but they were, perhaps, equally good.” pg. 139-140

Possible discussion question/s:

~ What do you think Mr. Elliot’s take on a person’s initial physical appearance might be? Does it coincide with Sir Walter’s? He appears taken with Anne (even with the handsome Elizabeth beside her). In fact, he admired Anne beforehand at Lyme and Lady Russell also noticed a change. Do you think Anne is growing more beautiful?