DIGITAL ROMANTICISM

Digital Romanticism; Semester 1

1.      In your own words, explain what the main THEME of PERSUASION is, and how it is relevant to your life in the 21^st Century.

From my point of view, the very obvious theme of this Jane Austen’s work is persuasion itself. Align with the title, I chose this theme because the act of persuasion has happened in this masterpiece a lot. She injected the plot with a lot of persuasive thoughts and dialogs and succeeded in making her readers to understand it very well. Her brother also did a very remarkable work naming this novel of hers as “Persuasion”. I personally think that this work of Austen can really relate to me and my life in this 21^st century because, I am the eldest sibling and I persuaded and convinced a lot of people around me. To trust me, to support me, to give me strength, to be with me and to even be a part of my life. For example, when I was a little girl of 10 years, I have to persuade my parents to give me a smartphone because everybody has it at the time and I could not see why they are even qualified to have the smartphone even though I did better than them in school. Yes, very narcistic of me to say so but I was a very immature little girl. So, my parents and I came to a conclusion and they persuaded me at the end that I have to be the first in my grade in order to get rewarded and so I did and they gave me the phone as promised.

The next huge persuasion that I have done in my life was to give a manifesto to my schoolmates when I was chosen as one of the vice presidents candidates of my previous high school’s students’ council. I prepared so much the night before on what to say and forgot to prepare how exactly I am going to deliver my points. But, at the end of the day, the vote results came out and I became the 2^nd most wanted as the vice president.

The next theme that I have spotted in this Austen’s work is the renewed definition of an eligible husband. In order to marry a woman, you have to have a high status or be the top in a hierarchy. The men also need to have stable financial status, mental health, good health, great personality and not just easily state his love to his lover. Sweet words are not enough. For me, that is very much acceptable nowadays because any man who thinks that he is capable and eligible of being a husband or even a father, should be prepared to take care of his loved ones including his own family. He should also be very responsible on himself and his new family if he will have any.

2.       CHARACTERISATION IN JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION

(a)    In your own words, describe TWO of your favourite characters in the novel PERSUASION.

Anne and Wentworth are an item so they are my number one favourite character and the second place goes to her aunt, Lady Russell.

The middle daughter of Sir Elliot, Anne Elliot is the protagonist in this work of Austen. She is very quiet and reserved. From my point of view, she is that type of person who talks less but her mind speaks a thousand thoughts. But, according to the novel, she is a very practical and clever lady. Can you not tell? She is perfect! But her father does not really look up to her and always opposed her opinions because she does not have the LOOK. Her features blinded her good personalities. She is also easily persuaded because she knows her place and her responsibilities and that she is very pursuant to the orders given to her. She willingly ignored her love to fulfil her duties.

Captain Frederick Wentworth is the other half of Anne in Persuasion. To me, he is the ideal type of a man that I would want to marry. First of all, he has the good look and he is very kind-hearted. His manners are like no other and he speaks so softly to girls but he is not a sweet talker. He is just respectful. A lot of girls have had their eyes on him but he kept thinking and recalculating his status because he was born in a low-status family.

Lady Russell is Anne’s Godmother who was also a very dear friend of Anne’s late mother. She has been the advisor of the Elliot’s family for years and she was born wealthy and with class. She is also a practical woman who thinks that status is very important in life. She loves Anne the most among all of Sir Elliot’s daughters but sometimes, she gives out bad advices to keep Anne to follow her way.

(b)    Explain why you like these two characters.

Both Anne and Wentworth are very loyal to each other. They portray the perfect definition of forbidden love with a happy ending. They do not lure and roam for any other partner even though it is not clear from the beginning that they will be together in the end. The movie version of these characters has fulfilled my fantasy and imagination during my brief reading session of the novel. They also take the reasons and rationalisation the people around them gave with a very calm way. They do not make a stupid decision to run away and marry each other without anyone’s blessings. I respect them for that.

At first, I come to really hate Lady Russell but I have my own reasons choosing Lady Russell after doing some reading and digging. I think she is feeling very responsible towards Anne on behalf of her deceased dear friend who is also Anne’s mother. She loves Anne a lot so, in order to keep Anne away from a life that no woman seeks, she persuaded and convinced Anne that she cannot be with the love of her life. First is because Anne was still immature and young and second is because Wentworth cannot guarantee a good life for them both. Personally, I think that Wentworth will not be as successful as the present if not for Lady Russell’s persuasion towards Anne to break off their engagement.

3.       COMPARISON BETWEEN THE NOVEL AND THE 1996 MOVIE

(a)    How is the 1995 movie adaptation of PERSUASION different from the novel? Give a brief explanation.

First of all, I believe that the characters in the movie are much more expressive than the characters in the novel. At least based on my simple readings. The movie allows us to see more drama and emotions of the characters and some scenes from the novel. Anne is somewhat sorrowful but moreover amazingly happy to be utilized and surreptitiously. On the other hand, the movie has Wentworth rapidly giving up his seat to Anne and after that instantly moving with the Musgrove sisters, advancing the differentiation between Anne and the others. The setting was also different than what I thought it would be. To me, Austen's novel shows a moderately radical vision of societal alter, such as the rise of a proficient lesson challenging the ancient arrange of landed upper class.

(b)    Describe TWO changes between the NOVEL and the MOVIE (TWO CHANGES EACH) in

(i)      Setting

I thought that their move to The Bath was supposed to cut off their expenses but it turned out that the bath was actually looking too fancy. I had imagined a shack or a hut to start. But to be very honest, I do not think there is a much of a difference because I have watched the movie first before reading the novel so my imagination was locked and depended on the movie visualisations. According to my reading on some websites, Persuasion's opening scenes build up its authentic setting, as well as the budgetary pickle in which the Elliot family finds itself.

(ii) Character

I think Anne was remarkably more expressive in the movie rather than in the novel. Anne often expresses considerations that the quiet and preserved character would never say within the novel. Anne's unyielding protection of her visit to Mrs. Smith can be found in a scene in the movie where Anne visits a poor ancient companion instead of go to the party of a titled relative. But the novel version of Anne would never assume to debate with her father upon such terms of outright equality. The film's Anne too locks in in activities not unmistakable within the novel, such as her flurry to halt Wentworth from clearing out a melodic concert when he feels belittled by decrying comments around his calling. Wentworth, on the other hand, was a bit bland in the movie rather than the novel. In the novel, he has a catchy personality that attracts Anne in the first place. Personally, I preferred the novel version of him over the movie version of Wentworth.

4.     Please discuss the influence of Persuasion in the Digital Humanities by finding TWO websites that talk about PERSUASION, what kind of website it is, and how the website influences public interest and perception of PERSUASION.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persuasion_(1995_film)

It is a Wikipedia site. To me, this website is very good for the movie’s overview and understanding the production of the movie. I have used some of the information from this website because it is easier for me to read from websites like this.

https://www.silverpetticoatreview.com/2015/08/14/which-version-is-better-persuasion-film-comparison/

To determine which version is better. The novel version or the movie. This website has changed my perspective towards the novel. At first, I thought I would love the movie more but after going through some readings, I have found my love towards the original version itself.

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/persuasion/

The last frequent website that I have visited within the study is this one. This website provides analysis by chapter, deep discussion about the plot and characters and the full electronic version of the novel for free. I have found this website very helpful and the arrangement in this website has successfully attracted me to read it through.