Jane Austen

Persuasion Jane Austen

The story begins seven years after the broken engagement of Anne Elliot to then Commander Frederick Wentworth. When 19 years old, Anne fell in love and accepted a proposal of marriage from the young naval officer. Wentworth was considered clever, confident, ambitious, and employed, but his low social status made Anne's friends and family view the Commander as an unfavourable partner. Anne's father, Sir Walter, and her older sister, Elizabeth, maintained that Wentworth was no match for an Elliot of Kellynch Hall, the family estate. Lady Russell, acting in place of Anne's late mother, saw the relationship as imprudent for one so young and persuaded Anne to break off the engagement. Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and Lady Russell are the only family members who knew about the short engagement, as Anne's younger sister Mary was away at school. Several years later, the Elliot family is in financial trouble, so they let Kellynch Hall, and decide to settle in Bath until finances improve. The Baronet Sir Walter, his daughter Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's new companion Mrs Clay look forward to the move. Anne is less sure she will enjoy Bath. Mary is married to Charles Musgrove of nearby Uppercross Hall, the heir to a respected local squire. Anne visits Mary and her family, where she is well-loved. As the war against France is over, the tenants of Kellynch Hall, Admiral Croft and his wife Sophia the sister of Frederick Wentworth who is by now a wealthy naval captain have returned home. Captain Wentworth visits his sister and meets the Uppercross family and Anne Elliot.