The old
saying “Money can’t buy happiness” is used to remind people that being rich
isn’t the only thing in life that matters. But in the society depicted in Jane
Austen’s Persuasion, that saying
definitely doesn’t ring true—it’s generally understood that, if you’re wealthy,
you’ve pretty much got it all. You’ve set yourself up for a lifetime of
parties, suitors, extravagant lifestyles, and, perhaps arguably, happiness. In Persuasion, Austen focuses on the
relationship between the social classes in early eighteenth century England,
not only to describe what life was like for different kinds of people, but also
to make fun of the ridiculous attitudes that some members of society had
towards social distinction and class.
Jane Austen
uses Sir Walter Elliot and Lady Russell to introduce the concept of social
class tensions. Sir Walter takes great pride in his high birth; his favorite
book is the Baronetage, in which all the wealthy people in England are
recognized (including himself), he doesn’t care to associate with most people
who are below him in social rank, and places a high value on becoming better
acquainted to people who are wealthy and well known, evidenced by when he
shifts his focus to becoming closer to Lady Dalrymple. Sir Walter’s most
prominent personality trait is his vanity—he is obsessed with himself and his
great fortune. Similarly, Lady Russell, the Elliot family advisor, isn’t afraid
to voice her opinions on class superiority. She has many discussions with Anne
about how she should only marry someone who is of equal or superior rank. Lady
Russell’s and Sir Walter’s opinions on Anne’s marriage and strong beliefs
regarding associating only with those who are equal to you were the very basis
of Persuasion: the tragic love affair
of Captain Wentworth and Anne was broken apart seven years prior because of the
urging to call off the engagement from Sir Walter and Lady Russell. Neither of
them approved of the relationship; Sir Walter hated the Navy, because it
provided the “…means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue
distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers
never dreamt of’ (Austen 35), and Lady Russell didn’t want Anne to marry
someone who wasn’t rich. These were the types of characters that Austen pokes
fun at; the rich, vain people that only care about money and social standing.
She uses Anne’s character to portray her own opinions regarding these members
of society, writing, “[Anne] considered it as an act of indispensable duty to
clear away the claims of creditors with all the expedition which the most
comprehensive retrenchments could secure, and saw no dignity in anything short
of it” (Austen 22), showing how Anne considered her father’s unwillingness to
give up his lavish lifestyle to be absolutely ridiculous.
But while
Austen portrays the rich and powerful characters in Persuasion in a mostly negative light, ridiculing them for their
self-absorbed natures and shallow tendencies, she shows more kindness towards
the people who had to work their way up to the top, and people who had
misfortunes along the way. Austen depicts Captain Wentworth as a foil to Sir
Walter. Captain Wentworth is described as “a remarkably fine young man, with a
great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy” (Austen 47) and someone
“full of life and ardour, he knew that he should soon have a ship, and soon be
on a station that would lead to everything he wanted” (Austen 49). Captain
Wentworth’s major flaw, the one that prevents him from being the ideal man that
Anne is supposed to be interested in marrying, is his severe lack of money, and
no social distinction whatsoever. He was a member of the Navy, a nobody; and in
the eyes of the Elliots, Anne was certainly not going to marry a nobody. From
Austen’s depiction of kinder, more well rounded man, we can see that she valued
hard work, depth in a personality, and overall being a decent human being.
Captain Wentworth’s care for others is what sets him apart from characters like
Sir Walter. We see these personality traits in other characters as well.
Admiral Croft, who was a “very hale, hearty, well-looking man, a little
weather-beaten, to be sure, but not much, and quite the gentleman in all his
notions and behaviour” (Austen 40), was also a member of the Navy, and didn’t
have a high social status. However, despite them having to work for their
wealth, Admiral and Mrs. Croft are both depicted as polite, hospitable, and
agreeable people, who Anne admires and enjoys being around.
The painting
of vivid pictures of the two separate ends of the social class spectrum,
describing and developing how they operate with one another, and what Austen’s
opinions were on the members of each played a vital role in the plot
development of Persuasion. But while
Austen clearly sees the importance of social classes, that doesn’t stop her
from also seeing the importance of kindness, respect, and, as evidenced by the
“happily ever after” ending, love being more important than any social status
or bank account figure. After all, isn’t that why money can’t buy happiness?
Austen, Jane. Persuasion. New York City: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2005. Print.
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