Copy Book Archive

Well Out Of It Anne Elliot is mortified to hear Frederick Wentworth’s opinion of her, but manages to find comfort in his words.

In two parts

1817
Music: Muzio Clementi

© Celuici, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0. Source

About this picture …

Clevedon Court in North Somerset dates back to the 14th century, and is now in the hands of the National Trust and open to the public, though the Elton family still lives there. The action in ‘Persuasion’ takes place in Somerset, in Bath and also at the fictional village of Uppercross, where Anne’s unfeeling sister Mary lived with her husband Charles Musgrove.

Well Out Of It

Part 1 of 2

Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth meet again seven years after Anne rejected Frederick’s proposal of marriage, under pressure from a trusted friend. A chance remark by the Captain, repeated by Anne’s sister Mary, leads them both to convince themselves that love is dead – and that they are happier that way.
By Jane Austen (1775-1817)

“CAPTAIN Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so attentive to me. Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they went away, and he said, ‘You were so altered he should not have known you again.’”

Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister’s in a common way, but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.

“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for he was not altered, or not for the worse. No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look.

“So altered that he should not have known her again!” These were words which could not but dwell with her. Yet she soon began to rejoice that she had heard them. They were of sobering tendency; they allayed agitation; they composed, and consequently must make her happier.

Jump to Part 2

Précis

Seven years after declining his proposal of marriage, Anne Elliot met Frederick Wentworth. Anne’s tactless sister revealed that Frederick had remarked on how those seven years had left Anne almost unrecognisable from the pretty girl he once knew, and Anne was mortified. However, knowing she could expect nothing more from him seemed strangely comforting. (54 / 60 words)

Part Two

Painted by Nicholas Pocock (1740–1821), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain. Source

About this picture …

‘Destruction of the French squadron of Admiral Leissègues at Santo-Domingo’, a British victory on February 6th, 1806, during the Napoleonic Wars. It was a courageous part in this engagement that saw a young Frederick Wentworth raised to the rank of Commander. The action in Jane Austen’s novel takes place seven years later.

FREDERICK Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but without an idea that they would be carried round to her. He had thought her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had spoken as he felt.

He had not forgiven Anne Elliot. She had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided, confident temper could not endure. She had given him up to oblige others. It had been the effect of over-persuasion. It had been weakness and timidity.

He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman since whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural sensation of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again. Her power with him was gone for ever.

Copy Book

Précis

Frederick Wentworth let slip a remark on how Anne Elliot’s appearance had changed for the worse in the seven years. He still smarted at the memory of what he saw as Anne’s weakness in allowing friends to persuade her to reject his marriage proposal, and the change in her helped him feel he could close the book on the episode. (60 / 60 words)

Source

From Persuasion, by Jane Austen.

Suggested Music

1 2

Sonata in F minor Op. 13 No. 6

2. Largo e sostenuto

Muzio Clementi (1752-1832)

Played by Ilia Kim.

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Symphony No. 1 in C Major

2: Andante con moto

Muzio Clementi (1752-1832)

Played by the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Francesco d’Avalos.

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