Kell
18th August 2008, 20:15
Anyone who would like to get hold of a copy of this book and join in the circle - there are quite a few copies available at Green Metropolis (http://www.greenmetropolis.com/search.asp?book_title=PERSUASION&author_name=austen&author_first_name=&ISBN=&categories=&Format=All&scope=InStock&Results=1&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=search)
Also available at Amazon. See link on site front page (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/../index.php)!
Or download it for free:
audio book at Librivox (http://librivox.org/persuasion-by-jane-austen/) / e-book at Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/105)
~~*~~
The fifth book being read in the Jane Austen Book Group (throughout September and October) is Persuasion:
"Persuasion" is the ultimate novel of love lost and regained. By turns achingly sad and intensely romantic, it's a Cinderella story for anyone who's ever felt overlooked - or anyone who's ever had their heart broken...Eight years ago, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth fell head over heels in love. But Anne's family put a stop to their engagement, believing he wasn't good enough for her. Pretty, intelligent Anne soon realises she's made a terrible mistake. Then Captain Wentworth walks back into her life again. Can he forgive her? Does he still lover her? And could they ever be happy, after all this time?
~~***~~
In deference to those who may be reading it for the first time - if you're going to talk about a major plot point, please state which chapter your post relates to and use the spoiler tags, so that those who haven't yet reached that point will know to wait a while before reading that post!
Some discussion questions to consider:
DO NOT READ THE FIRST SET OF QUESTIONS BEFORE READING THE BOOK - THERE MAY BE SPOILERS!
1. Persuasion is said by some to be Jane Austen’s most romantic book. Others think it is a sad, rather autumnal book, about missed opportunities. Jane Austen wrote it at the end of her life. Which view do you take, if any? Do you think either is correct? What was your response to Anne Elliot’s story?
2. In the extended Musgrove family, who has the highest social standing? And who has the lowest? Does this reflect in their characters? Do we still view and rank people by their social standings? What do you think of the formal and generally well-accepted way in which they practised this?
3. Discuss the character of Anne Elliot. Is she a conventional romantic heroine? Do we see her as the characters in the novel see her? Is the story seen through her eyes? If not, how not?
4. Although Anne and Captain Wentworth have not seen each other for seven years, their feelings are as strong as ever. Do you think this is realistic? Do you think today’s society would support this kind of constancy? Does it make the central story less relevant, or does it make it more timeless?
5. Jane Austen’s brother Henry gave Persuasion its title after Jane’s death. What is the significance of the title Persuasion? Does it have positive or negative connotations?
6. How important is Kellynch Hall? Does it act as the focal point of the novel, or merely as a plot device?
7. Does Austen respect the rigid late-eighteenth century / Regency class structure, or does she seek to subvert such traditions in Persuasion
8. How important is family in Persuasion? Does it bear any reflection on the individual? If you have also read it, consider alongside MansfieldPark
9. How do men and women interact? Which interactions in particular did you find interesting and why? How do these relationships and interactions compare to engagements and marriages today?
10. Are the characters in Persuasion conventional in their thoughts and actions according to the time in which the novel is set? In what ways do they conform (or not) to conventions? What is expected of them and how do they react to those expectations?
11. Who was your favourite character and why?
12. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest?
13. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more?
14. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with?
15. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience?
(You do not have to answer all, or indeed, any, of these questions, they are meant only as points for you to perhaps mull over as you read, and provoke more discussion. Please feel free to ask and answer any questions that come up as you read.)
Also available at Amazon. See link on site front page (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/../index.php)!
Or download it for free:
audio book at Librivox (http://librivox.org/persuasion-by-jane-austen/) / e-book at Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/105)
~~*~~
The fifth book being read in the Jane Austen Book Group (throughout September and October) is Persuasion:
"Persuasion" is the ultimate novel of love lost and regained. By turns achingly sad and intensely romantic, it's a Cinderella story for anyone who's ever felt overlooked - or anyone who's ever had their heart broken...Eight years ago, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth fell head over heels in love. But Anne's family put a stop to their engagement, believing he wasn't good enough for her. Pretty, intelligent Anne soon realises she's made a terrible mistake. Then Captain Wentworth walks back into her life again. Can he forgive her? Does he still lover her? And could they ever be happy, after all this time?
~~***~~
In deference to those who may be reading it for the first time - if you're going to talk about a major plot point, please state which chapter your post relates to and use the spoiler tags, so that those who haven't yet reached that point will know to wait a while before reading that post!
Some discussion questions to consider:
DO NOT READ THE FIRST SET OF QUESTIONS BEFORE READING THE BOOK - THERE MAY BE SPOILERS!
1. Persuasion is said by some to be Jane Austen’s most romantic book. Others think it is a sad, rather autumnal book, about missed opportunities. Jane Austen wrote it at the end of her life. Which view do you take, if any? Do you think either is correct? What was your response to Anne Elliot’s story?
2. In the extended Musgrove family, who has the highest social standing? And who has the lowest? Does this reflect in their characters? Do we still view and rank people by their social standings? What do you think of the formal and generally well-accepted way in which they practised this?
3. Discuss the character of Anne Elliot. Is she a conventional romantic heroine? Do we see her as the characters in the novel see her? Is the story seen through her eyes? If not, how not?
4. Although Anne and Captain Wentworth have not seen each other for seven years, their feelings are as strong as ever. Do you think this is realistic? Do you think today’s society would support this kind of constancy? Does it make the central story less relevant, or does it make it more timeless?
5. Jane Austen’s brother Henry gave Persuasion its title after Jane’s death. What is the significance of the title Persuasion? Does it have positive or negative connotations?
6. How important is Kellynch Hall? Does it act as the focal point of the novel, or merely as a plot device?
7. Does Austen respect the rigid late-eighteenth century / Regency class structure, or does she seek to subvert such traditions in Persuasion
8. How important is family in Persuasion? Does it bear any reflection on the individual? If you have also read it, consider alongside MansfieldPark
9. How do men and women interact? Which interactions in particular did you find interesting and why? How do these relationships and interactions compare to engagements and marriages today?
10. Are the characters in Persuasion conventional in their thoughts and actions according to the time in which the novel is set? In what ways do they conform (or not) to conventions? What is expected of them and how do they react to those expectations?
11. Who was your favourite character and why?
12. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest?
13. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more?
14. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with?
15. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience?
(You do not have to answer all, or indeed, any, of these questions, they are meant only as points for you to perhaps mull over as you read, and provoke more discussion. Please feel free to ask and answer any questions that come up as you read.)