Topic > The Dependence of Happiness on Marriage and Status in Persuasion

In elucidating a strong sense of time passing in "Persuasion," Austen evokes the simmering pain and anguish that Elizabeth's approach to the ” offers into an era when marriage and status were ultimately the keystones of a successful life, and explores the oversights of the superficial group to which Sir Walter and Elizabeth belong and aspire, showing Elizabeth's subsequent failures to be "adequately solicited by baronet blood" despite its ability to remain 'flourishing'. A general idea of ​​the novel is that marriage and happiness do not necessarily depend on superficial appearances or specific, practical merits, but rather on an indescribable bond that is anything but rational and thoughtful. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While Sir Walter indulgently pontificates on his and Elizabeth's resistance to becoming part of the "wreck of everyone else's good looks," Elizabeth and her blossoming is separated by a metaphorical chasm from the "rough" Mary and the "haggard" Anne, whose frank physical descriptions evoke a sense of disappointment on Sir Walter's part, underscoring the vanity that underlies her character, as does her reluctance to associate even with her own daughters who they do not reflect its aesthetic values. Sir Walter delights in his and Elizabeth's resilience and enduring ability to lose "almost all charm" as "every face in the neighborhood" worsens, creating an additional layer of Sir Walter's pride as the two are separated from the people who are afflicted . by a decline in good looks. Here it is evident that only Elizabeth meets Sir Walter's demanding physical standards, and he can therefore be excused "in forgetting his age" since she reflects the unattainable level of aesthetics he demands, despite being older than his other two daughters, the whose "flowerings" had much less longevity than those of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is depicted as an authoritarian and powerful character, having been mistress of a prestigious country house for "thirteen years", with the specificity of this period of time reflecting exactly the tight and astute way in which she had 'presided[ ed]' and 'direct[ed]' with the 'self-mastery' that such a position requires. The sense of movement created around Elizabeth is significant as it offers her many qualities. As he “leads his way to the chaise and four,” his importance and high social status are conveyed as he has the power to lead others. This dynamic and efficient air, the weight of his word and his social power are perpetuated by the idea that he socializes widely, attending "every ball of credit" and gracing "all the drawing rooms and dining rooms of the country". Elizabeth is given further credibility by the fact that she "walks immediately after Lady Russell", who is already known to be a woman "of strict integrity... with a delicate sense of honour". As Elizabeth rides in Lady Russell's footsteps, it is shown that she is a person with a great attachment to title and status and that she associates with people of high class, both socially and morally. Austen implies that Elizabeth is adept at these duties. through the way he manipulates time, Elizabeth having ruled the house for "thirteen years". The specific length of time that has elapsed since Elizabeth's transition from young girl to lover and potential wife is repeated four times in as many pages, and this helps to elicit a sense of bitterness on Elizabeth's part, and that she has dwelt on this long period during which the proposals and commitments were expected, but they never arrived..