Extract Marys Judgement On Captain Wentworths Reaction example essay topic

The majority of this extract uses narrated interior monologue to register Anne Elliots impressions. This gives the reader the impression that they are looking at the occasion through Anne Elliots eyes. Jane Austen uses this perspective to great effect during this extract in order to manipulate the readers bias, by giving the reader an insight into her thoughts and feelings. The use of narrated interior monologue is apparent throughout the extract and phrases such as Anne felt an instant oppression give the reader and insight, not only into the mind of Anne Elliot expressing her reaction to the entrance of her father and sister, but also the phrase gives the reader a sense that a similar reaction was felt by the others in the room.

In this way the author not only displays the reaction of Anne Elliot, which is clearly adverse towards her father and sisters intrusion, but also by using the words instant oppression, gives the reader an instant picture of the atmosphere in the room. In similar ways Annes perspective, prior knowledge and sensitivity towards people allows Austen to show the reactions of other characters to a single event through Annes eyes. For example, Annes prior knowledge of Captain Wentworth allows her to give the reader a clear impression of his reaction to her sisters invitation. (Anne caught his eye and his mouth form itself into a momentary expression of contempt) Austen also uses the entrance of Sir Walter and Elizabeth Elliot to manipulate the readers response towards these characters. Annes response, one of dislike towards the clearly unwanted intrusion plays a large part in manipulating the bias of the reader against Sir Walter and Elizabeth Elliot.

Also, despite the well-mannered and formal behaviour the reader senses a falsity in the addresses. Annes point of view aids the effect of this induced reaction. It is Annes prior knowledge that allows the reader to realise this underlying bitterness from past experience. (Captain Wentworth was acknowledged by Elizabeth more graciously than before). The reader therefore, senses the hypocritical nature in the behaviour of Sir Walter and Elizabeth in their cordial invitation to Captain Wentworth. Austen use of Annes rational reasoning, whilst maintaining her bias firmly set against her father and sister gives a less than flattering picture of Elizabeths motivations.

In this way too, Austen gives the reader an insight into the extremely selfish character of Elizabeth. (The truth was, Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand the importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his Captain Wentworth would move about well in her drawing-room). It is clear that during this piece Austen is intent upon giving us the impression of Captain Wentworths displeasure, Elizabeths hypocrisy, and Annes dislike of her father and sisters intrusion, all using Annes perspective on the situation. In this objective Austen is extremely successful as a powerful picture of Annes impressions and emotions is effectively put over to the reader. 1 b) The mood / atmosphere of the encounter is set extremely early on in the extract. Austen once more exploits Annes sensitivity towards the reactions of others, in order to create an impression of the atmosphere of the occasion.

Anne not only conveys her own reaction to the entrance of her father and sister early in the piece but also comments on the reactions of the other persons present in order to create a negative atmosphere. (The door was thrown open for Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill). The word chill gives the reader an excellent impression of Annes sensing a real deterioration of the warmth of the occasion. Anne is made used to great effect as a sensitive character; this gives Jane Austen the character she needs in order to create an impression of the atmosphere of a particular occasion (Anne felt an instant oppression). This statement gives the reader an extremely negative impression of the effect the entrance had on the comfort, the freedom, the gaiety of the room. It also gives the reader an extremely powerful feeling of the fast alteration of the atmosphere between warm, comfortable and free and oppressed, uncomfortable and cold.

This quick shift, brought about by the entrance of two people, gives the reader a powerful impression of the atmosphere of the occasion. This impression of a chilled, oppressive atmosphere continues throughout the remainder of the extract. (After the waste of a few minutes saying the proper nothings, she began to give the invitation.) The impression of an extremely polite, but tense atmosphere is also conveyed to the reader through the coldness and dignity that is apparent throughout the addresses of Sir Walter and Elizabeth to the other characters. 1 c) Austen looks at characters effectively during the novel Persuasion by using Anne Elliot as an accurate judge of the characters of others. It is Annes perception that Allows Austen to develop characters so efficiently. The judgements and reactions of characters are entirely seen in this extract from Annes point of view.

This does subject them to some bias, as any characters viewpoint will bring prejudice and bias into a judgement. However, in this case I believe we can take Annes viewpoint as being almost impartial, and the only bias imparted is that which the author intends us to have. In this way Austen imparts cleverly the reactions of others from observations made by Anne. (Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself into momentary expression of contempt.) In this example, Anne not only expresses the physical attributes of the reaction which may tend to give the wrong impression, but through previous experience, Anne is able to comment upon the emotional reaction.

This is key in the readers understanding of Wentworths displeasure at receiving such an unwanted invitation. The way in which Austen has used Anne in this situation allows the reader in order to portray a number of different reactions. Firstly, Annes own reaction conveys to the reader the sense of displeasure, felt by the whole party, at the appearance of Sir Walter and Elizabeth and the effect they had upon the atmosphere. Secondly, using Anne as the authors viewpoint, allows the author to become a character in the story. However, this can be used to great effect as other characters can express their reactions and judgements to the author. This is used in this extract in the case of Mary.

(I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted! You see he cannot put the card out of his hand.) This address tells the reader much about Mary and her lack of sensible judgement and her ability to misinterpret peoples reactions. The later quote regarding Captain Wentworths actual reaction shows the more accurate, observant judgement of Anne on her observations. The readers attention is also drawn to Captain Wentworth by causing Anne to look in his direction. His reaction is apparent through the accuracy of Annes judgement. This technique is extremely effective in its objectives in that it includes the reader in the story, looks at the judgements and reactions of other characters, and examines them through the eyes of a manipulative character.

This last effect allows the author to manipulate the readers bias. In this way therefore, the author has looked briefly, but clearly at the viewpoints of three different characters, their reactions and judgements within the space of a short extract. 2) I think that certainly Anne is portrayed as a reliable observer. Her point of view is intended to be based upon factual evidence rather than emotions in this extract. However, in my opinion, her negative reaction towards her father and sister is certainly not impartial, as it is based upon a personal dislike for their silly obsession with their own position and personal appearance. In this circumstance, I think that Austen intentionally biases Anne against them and their shallow characters in order to manipulate the readers response.

In this case Annes viewpoint is certainly reliable, although it may not be entirely impartial. Therefore, from the evidence in this extract, (Annes judgements on Wentworths reaction to the invitation, and on the atmosphere on her father and sisters entrance.) it is clear that Annes viewpoint is intended to be reliable. As for her being portrayed as sympathetic, she is clearly sensitive towards the emotions and reactions of others, as well as to the subtle changes in the atmosphere created by an event. However, in the extract Marys judgement on Captain Wentworths reaction is said to vex her. In this way Anne is certainly not sympathetic towards the judgements of Mary in this case. Therefore, she is sympathetic in the sense of her being sensitive towards others; however, she is not necessarily sympathetic in that she is not always compassionate towards the abilities of others to make mistakes.

3) The most obvious point of view introduced into the extract is that of Mary. Marys viewpoint is clearly expressed in the quotation: Only think of Elizabeth including everybody! I do not wonder that Captain Wentworth in delighted! You see he cannot put the card out of his hand. This viewpoint is then shown to be fundamentally flawed by Annes more precise observation. However, this point of view does give the reader a key insight into Marys character.

It shows firstly, that Mary is an extremely poor judge of a persons reaction to an event. She misreads Captain Wentworth entirely and jumps to the entirely wrong conclusion. This not only shows that Mary doesnt know Captain Wentworth, it also shows that she has little time to appreciate the feelings of others. Her impetuous judgements do not take into account any real facts, only the appearance of fact. An example of this is in Captain Wentworths holding the card. Instead of regarding his countenance in order to read his true feelings, she jumps to the conclusion that he is delighted with the invitation.

Her lack of sensitivity is apparent in this short quotation and through this we learn much about Marys character. The second viewpoint in this extract is expressed in a less direct manner. It is not a direct quotation, but instead the author temporarily looks at the situation through the eyes of Elizabeth Elliot: Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath, to understand the importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his Captain Wentworth would move about well in her drawing room. Through this short insight into the thoughts and feelings of Elizabeth we learn much about Elizabeth as a character. We realise that her motives in extending an invitation to Captain Wentworth are purely selfish and in no way a sort of reconciliatory gesture for their relationship in the past. She realises only the good impression that Captain Wentworth is capable of making in her drawing room.

In this way her own vanity is highlighted, she thinks only of how she would look surrounded by such people of wealth and position. Elizabeth is therefore shown in a harsh revealing light. This shows up her shallow nature in her dealings with others and her motives in doing so. In this way Austen manipulates the readers opinion against Elizabeth, and shows us clearly the sort of character that she really is. 4) I find that in many parts of this extract it is extremely difficult to separate the authorial view from that of Anne Elliot, because Annes view is, fro the most part, strikingly similar to that of the author. There are places in this extract where I find it near impossible to distinguish between the two.

I am not sure whether the author intended for the reader not to be able to distinguish between the two different viewpoints or whether it is just that, because of the similarities, I find it difficult to distinguish. There are parts of the extract where I am certain that the author is looking at the situation from Annes point of view (Anne felt an instant oppression), and there are also parts of the extract where I know that is the Authorial view that is being expressed. (After a few minutes in saying the proper nothings, ) However, there are times when it is difficult to tell which of the two is speaking, these grey areas are generally peripheral to our understanding, but it can still be difficult to understand from whose viewpoint the statement is made. In this way it would be relatively straightforward to confuse Annes thoughts and feelings with those of the author: (The door was thrown open for Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill.) I find that the author does not generally intrude upon Annes judgement; however, it can be difficult to separate the two.

I would not describe this as authorial intrusion but simply ambiguity. In this was any intrusion in my mind is clearly implicit and in this way the first two lines can be described as an intrusion of authorial judgement: The door was thrown open for Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill. Anne felt an instant oppression. It is clear that Anne felt both the chill and the oppression, but in my opinion, the first sentence is written from the authors point of view because of the way Sir Walter and Elizabeth are referred to. In this way the author has intruded upon the judgement of Anne Elliot with a similar authorial judgement. This is not explicit, but is apparent upon close examination.