In the summer of 1806, Frederick Wentworth arrived at Somersetshire, where he met and fell deeply in love with Anne
Elliot. He was just a mere sailor then, a person of doubtful future affluence and a most uncertain future. Although a fine young man, with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy, he would not do for Lady Russell, friend and almost mother to Anne, she of the Elliot of Kellynch Hall, she with claims of birth, beauty and
mind. Lady Russell therefore persuaded Anne to break off the engagement. Anne, thinking it her duty to obey Lady Russell, and thinking the break up would do more good for Frederick, indeed broke it off, even when it had been her heart that was breaking. Deeply hurt, Frederick left Somersetshire, never again to be seen and heard of by Anne.
In the summer of 1814, Frederick Wentworth arrives at Somersetshire, where he again meets Anne Elliot. But circumstances have altered: Anne, while still of beauty and mind, has been a victim of her father''s poor management of the family wealth; Frederick, on the other hand, is now distinguished and has amassed a handsome fortune. Yet it seems only their statures have changed, because Captain Frederick Wentworth, after eight and a half years, is still secretly smarting from being rejected by Miss Anne Elliot, and the latter still secretly regretting her decision.
Although both are constantly thrown in the same circles, Frederick and Anne have nothing but mere civil words for each other. There is nothing in Frederick''s actions that would make Anne suppose that he still feels for her. There is nothing in hers that would make Frederick suppose she still feels for him. Furthermore, Anne thinks Frederick is courting one of the ladies with whom Anne is keeping company; while Frederick thinks that Anne is being courted by an agreeable gentleman. Yet, there is tenderness in the looks Anne gives Frederick (dare he hope?); and there is sudden stiffness in Frederick''s once gentle approach of Anne (could it be jealousy towards Anne''s gentleman?). Will their true feelings for each other ever have the chance to be conveyed?
After almost two hundred years since it was published (pothumously) in 1818, this
novel by Jane Austen still commands the highest praise it so richly deserves. I have not read a Jane Austen novel before this, but I immediately discern good-natured humor about the people she probably grew up with and the society she probably grew up in. She people her novel with a variety of characters, but note that her heroine is the strongest of mind and the sweetest of manner.
No other contemporary writer could depict romance the way Jane Austen depicted hers in this novel. She employed a language so intelligent that love has never been so pure and passion has never been so heartwarming.