Social Class

" She gloried in being a sailor's wife, but she must pay the tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues than its national importance" (Austen, 203).

Anne chose her own happiness over that of her position in society. Society has been the major theme of this novel, and we now get to see how the author herself values social class. Austen has showed that it is better to lead a happy life then lead a proper one.

Michaelmas

"'In general she has been in very good health, and very good looks since Michaelmas'" (Austen, 115).

Michaelmas is a feast celebrating St. Michael the Archangle. Austen is showing the reader that her characters are somewhat religious, and she is connecting the readers back into the time setting of her novel. Austen is also stating that religion is an important part of society and that religion can affect ones place in it. The highest members of society are all religious (the king is the head of the church) and the higher one climbs, the more religious they must become.

Links:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/379920/Michaelmas

Mr. Elliot

" A very fine woman, with a large fortune, in love with him! Sir Walter seemed to admit it as a complete apology..." ( Austen, 113).

Mr. Elliot had been the heir to Anne's fathers estate, and had been exiled from the family when he had disgraced himself by marrying outside of his class. His wife had died, and now that he was free of her, Sir Walter was prepared to forgive him and welcome him home with open arms. This shows that the most disappointing thing one could do was to socially disgrace their family. Austen is again strengthening her theme of society by hinting that the boundaries of society should not be followed if the consequence is sacrificing what one believes in or their happiness.

Camden-place

" Their house was undoubtedly the best in Camden-place" (Austen, 112).

Camden-place in Bath was a place of high society living. Only people of a certain class were accepted into Camden-place with open arms. This shows that although Anne's family was in debt, they had not become social outcasts. Austen is connecting her theme of high society back into the readers mind, since Anne's absence has disconnected her from her families customs and obligations.

Links:

http://www.tuktuktours.co.uk/history.htm

Walking

" Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast..." (Austen, 85).

Walking has been an almost constant activity of Anne in this novel. Not only does it characterize Anne, but it is also an important motif. It symbolizes the future, while the characters themselves think of the past. Anne will have to find her way through this turmoil(walking while lost) in order to find true happiness and peace.

Love

" Yes,- he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give her rest..." (Austen, 77).

It is now plainly obvious that Anne regrets her decision of not marrying Captain Wentworth. She clearly still holds many feelings for him, and is living in a dream like state, only truly aware of him and his feelings. Austen is foreshadowing that their story together isn't over yet, and it is one of the main plots of her book, Persuasion.

Stile

" Mary finding a comfortable seat for herself, on the step of a stile..." (Austen, 73).

Stile is defined as " a step or set of steps for passing over a fence or wall ". There are words from the late nineteenth century scattered throughout her book, which only helps Austen keep the reader settled in the setting of her novel. Austen is also using the images of steps to support her theme and motif of society. The steps symbolize the different sects of the social class of England during the Victorian period. The higher the step, the better off one is in the eyes of their respected society.

Links:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stile