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A Book That Strengthened My Character

June 22, 2011 //  by Rachel Kent//  10 Comments

Blogger: Rachel Kent

Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Jane Austen books have all been favorites of mine. I love reading them, watching the movies, and listening to the audio books as I drive. Flo Gibson is my favorite Jane Austen audio book reader. The story of Pride & Prejudice is probably my favorite Jane Austen book, but it wasn’t the most influential in my life. Persuasion had the most affect on who I am today.

I bet most of you have read it, but just in case, Persuasion is the story of Anne Elliott, who found love at a young age but allowed herself to be persuaded not to marry the man because he was poor and didn’t have good prospects. The same man comes back into her life years later and believes she has a weak character because she was so easily persuaded against him, but he sees her true character throughout the book and falls in love with her all over again.

Persuasion was most influential to me during college. It helped me to grow up. I was a pretty obedient child, which is a good thing, but when I went off to college, I had to learn who I was as an independent adult. Often when I would be faced with a decision, Anne Elliott would come to mind. It still happens, too! I think Anne’s character became a warning to me to remember to judge advice from others on more than just the world’s standards. Riches and power aren’t important in God’s eyes.

I also admire Anne because she is a strong main character even though she is kind, thoughtful and quiet. She doesn’t have to be outgoing to be interesting, and I think she is quite Christ-like in how she treats others in the story. I like who she is and see her as a fictional role model.

I sure am glad she got a second chance with Captain Wentworth!

Which Jane Austen novel has been most influential in your life? Which is your favorite?

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Category: Blog, Life, ReadingTag: audio books, Flo Gibson, Jane Austen, Persuasion, Pride & Prejudice

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  1. Jill Kemerer

    June 22, 2011 at 9:45 am

    I love Jane Austen too. The first book I read of hers, Sense and Sensibility, had the most impact on me. I admired how Elinor kept her rival’s secret and how she didn’t judge Edward or try to steal him away. Her behavior, so in contrast with what today’s media promotes, made me see how living a moral life gives a person more satisfaction than getting what we want by whatever means necessary.

    I think Jane Austen was brilliant at writing powerful, moral role models. They still resonate with us today. (And I loved Persuasion too! When Capt. W. came back years later and flirted with other women, I wanted to cry! And have a heart-to-heart talk with him…)

    Reply
  2. Morgan L. Busse

    June 22, 2011 at 9:57 am

    I love Jane Austen. If only she had penned more books!

    I find myself most like Eleanore Dashwood. Its not so much she influenced me, but rather I see myself in her: doing the right thing and helping others. But if someone were to see inside of me, they would see the hurts I am quietly bearing.

    Reply
  3. Morgan L. Busse

    June 22, 2011 at 9:58 am

    Just realized I spelled her name wrong (oops, blame it on the need for more coffee 😉

    Reply
  4. Louise

    June 22, 2011 at 10:09 am

    Anne Elliott is one of my all-time favorite literary heroines. She is nowhere near as sparkling as Emma or Lizzy, but her strength of character has always made her shine for me. I especially love the differences Austen brings out between Anne and Henrietta and Louisa – Henrietta is truly weak-willed, vacillating upon other people’s slightest whims, while Louisa is stubbornly (and pridefully) insistent on gaining her own way no matter who she injures in the process. In comparison, Anne’s persuasion came from concern for those she loved, and her firmness, later in life, came from the same consideration.

    I really think Persuasion is the finest of all Austen’s books – and they are all excellent!

    Reply
  5. Cheryl Malandrinos

    June 22, 2011 at 10:36 am

    Can you believe I’ve never read a Jane Austen novel? This is going to sound silly, but I always have this idea of them being like the books you were forced to read in high school. I can honestly say I didn’t enjoy one book I was required to read. I’m not sure if I would appreciate them more now that I’m older, but there as so many new books I want to read, that the classics seem to slip by me.

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  6. Sarah Thomas

    June 22, 2011 at 11:11 am

    Ah, Jane! Of course, there were the years I was holding out for Mr. Darcy . . . That would be the bad influence. As for the good, I’d say Northanger Abbey. It’s probably my least favorite book of Jane’s (though I still enjoy it hugely), but it did point out the dangers of being overly dramatic and silly. I love that Catherine casts aside many of her childish notions for a more mature love with Henry. I’m afraid when I was Catherine’s age, I too, was “in training for a heroine.”

    Reply
  7. Cathy Elliott

    June 22, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    A topic dear to my heart, Rachel. I have loved Jane Austen’s writings since I was fifteen and P&P is my all-time fave, though they each have much to recommend them.

    Persuasion is a special story with a very special heroine. Of course, I enjoy sharing the last name with Miss Elliott, but there is a heart-tugging longing in Anne that is familiar to most readers. That dream pursued but not yet realized. And finding the courage to live better instead of bitter, when one could so easily become so. Wasn’t it a lovely thing that this good thing in the form of Captain Wentworth came to one who waited? And waited so well?

    Ah…to write such a novel. Now there is a dream to pursue!

    Reply
  8. Pepper

    June 22, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    Although I love Persuasion for the beauty of lasting love, and P & P for the horrible twists and turns of pride – I’ve always loved Emma. Maybe it’s simply because Mr. Knightley is my dream hero. I love his sharp sense of humor – but I learned so much from Emma. As good intentioned as she was, her own pride and lack of self-awareness, led her to trip up her best friend’s life and almost her own.
    I love the contrast between Eleanor’s subtle romance and Marianne’s overt romance in Sense & Sensibility. Because I was one of those ‘dreamy’ teenagers (like Marianne), it made me step back and consider what ‘true love’ really looked like. I KNOW I’d have made the same mistake as Marianne when I was her age – I was NOT an Eleanor.

    Reply
  9. PW Creighton

    June 23, 2011 at 7:17 am

    Very insightful post. So very often we don’t realize how much a work can influence us and shape us into who we want to be or will become. Also a great reminder of just what a high quality work can do as well. I doubt Jane Austen ever considered how influential her work would be when she was writing. It’s great to keep perspective.

    Reply
  10. Sarah Sundin

    June 24, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Oh, Persuasion’s my favorite Austen too. Much quieter than her others, but more heartwrenching. Anne’s pain as she silently watches the captain woo that silly girl, knowing if she’d only been stronger back when, she could have been with him – oh, that’s a story.

    Reply

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