Themes

**Wealth/Social Stature:** Another theme throughout the novel is wealth and social stature. Sir Walter Elliot along with his two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, are all very concerned on social status and personal wealth. Austen demonstrates the theme mainly and most importantly through the Elliot’s initial disapproval of Captain Frederick Wentworth because of his lower social status. The Elliot’s concern for social stature continues through the novel, and can also be demonstrated by Sir Walter Elliot’s reluctancy to move away from his home in Kellynch Hall into a smaller one in Bath, along with his reluctancy to allow someone to move into his house with full privileges of the house. **Compromise:** Several compromises are made, first and foremost is Anne’s compromise between the obligations she has to her family and the love she has for Captain Frederick Wentworth. Anne struggles to make an accord between the two, and originally chooses her responsibility to her family over her own emotions and her love for Captain Frederick Wentworth. However, as her feelings towards Wentworth do not resolve, Anne realizes she must make a compromise between her duty and her love for Wentworth.
 * Persuasion/Independence:** Throughout the novel, there is a battle between being persuaded by others and their advice, and following one’s own heart and instincts. Anne constantly fights this battle in the novel, beginning with her initial engagement to Captain Wentworth. Although Anne’s heart tells her to marry Captain Wentworth, her family and friends all advise her not to marry him and strongly disapprove of the gentleman. Anne is persuaded by her family and friends to call off the engagement, but the feelings for Captain Wentworth and her uncertainty of the decision she made still haunt her. And so begins the clash of persuasion from others and independence, and Anne struggles to assess if she had made the right decision or not. While Anne does end up marrying Captain Wentworth, she wonders if she had made the right decision of allowing herself to be persuaded by others during her first engagement—and the answer to which decision is correct is left for the reader to evaluate for himself.