In Persuasion, the topic of social class is important to understand the characters' behavior throughout the novel and how, as the story progresses, some of the main characters change their opinions adapting them to the circumstances.

1. Presented By: LINAALZOUABI
Persuasion, 1817
Jane Austen

2. In most of the novels written by Jane Austen, one clear topic is social
class. This topic becomes relevant in her novels because in that way
readers can know how society was structured in the later 18th century and
the early 19th century when Austen was born. In Persuasion, the topic of
social class is important to understand the characters' behavior throughout
the novel and how, as the story progresses, some of the main characters
change their opinions adapting them to the circumstances.

3.  Like most of her novels, Persuasion affords Jane Austen to explore social
relationships among middle–class men and women living in what is usually
considered a refined, country environment away from the commercial and
political centers of old England.
 Their conversations give readers a glimpse of the values held most sacred by
the middle class of English society at the turn of the nineteenth century. It is clear
that young women spend most of their time plotting to snare an eligible bachelor;
those who are married focus their attention on their families, taking time to assist
in advancing the courtships of their unmarried associates. Although young men
pursue a variety of professions, they are as interested in social repartee as women
are. The novel is filled with parties, dinners, and trips to see local sights of
interest.

4. The issues of class rigidity and social mobility are the
most important themes in Persuasion. Marriage and the
naval profession are two means by which individuals
may improve their social class. Austen is not a
revolutionary; she defends the values and traditions of
respect for the social structure. Yet she is subtly
subversive in her support of greater social mobility.

5. Status and independence are composed of a combination of wealth, ancestry, and
occupation: certain characters achieve independence through marrying into wealth, as
is the case with Mr. William Elliot’s first marriage, while others such as Captain
Frederick Wentworth achieve status and wealth through climbing the Naval ranks. Sir
Walter Elliot prides himself on his “ancient and respectable” lineage, baronetcy, and
wealthy estate; he is greatly preoccupied that his manner of living and ensuring that
the people with whom his family associates will befit his high status, although these
concerns lead him into excessive debt and undiscerning connections.

6. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good fortune, must be in
want of a wife” (Austen).
In the society of Austen’s time, marriage was one of the most common ways to increase one’s social status. Social
status was based on one’s family background, reputation, and wealth. Marriage was very crucial for women, for this
was the only way to increase their social status. Considerations of class also affect characters of less vanity and more
prudence, such as Lady Russell and the protagonist Anne Elliot.
Lady Russell judiciously advises Anne about the importance of marrying a man who matches her status and can
adequately provide for her, and, based on this counsel, Anne conscientiously refrains from marrying the man she
loves. Austen’s novel—for all of its romantic wisdom about matching temperaments and love in marriage—also
highlights and supports the importance of “marrying well” as a concern that none of the characters can escape, and
one that inevitably takes into consideration of class and wealth.

7. “Anne Eliot, with all her claims of her birth, beauty, and mind, to throw away
herself at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young
man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, with a young man, 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.”
These lines belong to Lady Russel. She objects to the marriage of Anne and Wentworth
because of Wentworth’s social status. Anne is a victim of class rigidity at that time.

8. Status and social class both motivate and restrict the
actions that characters are able to take in fulfilling
their desires. From the start of the novel, Sir Walter
Elliot’s vanity and luxurious spending in order to
live according to his status lead him into financial
debt and require him to rent his estate. Mr. William
Elliot is motivated to marry Anne out of a lately
developed appreciation for his inheritance and
baronetcy. Captain Wentworth strikes out to sea in
order to make his fortunes through the Navy.

9. “Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have strong
grounds of objection to it. First, as a means of bringing
person of obscure birth into in due distinction, and raising
men to honors which their fathers and grandfathers never
dreamt of; and secondly as it cuts up a man’s youth and
vigor most horribly.”
These lines are spoken by Sir Walter Elliot. He is explaining to
his family and friends why he objects to the Navy and wishes
none of his relatives will ever join it. Sir Walter truly objects to
the navy because it functions as a means of social ascension.
The Navy allows men who are dedicated and hard-working to
build a fortune and gain social status. His objection is not only
to the Navy but to increasing social mobility in society.

10. One of the most striking examples of how
status and class influence agency is in the
tragedy of Mrs. Smith, Anne’s girlhood friend
who is crippled by debt, widowhood, and
illness. In the eyes of society, she has
essentially nothing and relies on the more
privileged Anne’s kindness, friendship, and
charity.

11. “ Westgate Buildings! said he; ‘and who is Miss Anne Elliot to be visiting in Westgate Buildings? –
A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith- names are to be met with everywhere. And wha is her
attraction? That she is old and sickly. –Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most
extraordinary taste! Everything that revolts other people, loe company, paltry rooms, foul air,
disgusting associations are inviting to you. But surely you may put off this old lady till tomorrow.
She is nt so near her end, I presume , but that she may hope to see anoter day. What is her age?
Forty?”
At that time social relationships were tightly bound up the class boundaries, this quotation
summarizes that Anne’s relationship with people from the lower class, like Mrs. Smith or
Captain Benwick, is criticized and despised by Sir Walter Elliot because of Mrs. Smith’s
poor condition. While Anne is caring and humanitarian in her relationships with people, the
others, Sir Walter Elliot, Elizabeth, and Lady Russel care much about other material features
that people have. Therefore, the novel is a pure reflection of showing us that class rigidity
affects many social links between people.