Jane Austen Read A Long discussion

Discuss chapters 17-24 in this section.

Does anyone else find that Frederick and Anne rarely interact together? Not that I was expecting a romance by today's standards (where it is the entire focus of the novel). But I just feel like their romance is more implied than shown to the reader.

Maybe it's just me?

Lauren - SERIESous Book Reviews wrote: "Does anyone else find that Frederick and Anne rarely interact together? Not that I was expecting a romance by today's standards (where it is the entire focus of the novel). But I just feel like the..."

It's not just you. It's making the book go slow for me.

just finished!

*spoilers if you haven't finished*

I have to say I am a little surprised by the "lesson" of the novel. The whole idea that Wentworth is only now worthy of her because of his rank. I suppose it is a realistic approach for the era of the novel; but it's just so different from today's works where people defy "classes" all the time for the sake of love.

Lauren - SERIESous Books wrote: "just finished!

*spoilers if you haven't finished*

I have to say I am a little surprised by the "lesson" of the novel. The whole idea that Wentworth is only now worthy of her because of his rank. ..."

I don't think the lesson is that Captain Wentworth is worthy just because he made money. I think the lesson one should get is that feebleness or firmness of character can be good or bad depending on the situation. Feebleness seems bad as Anne could not keep up the promise she made to Wentworth the first time of marrying him as she got persuaded by her family and Lady Russell. And she regretted it every day since. Yet firmness demonstrated by Louisia Musgrove when she kept trying to fall from the steps next to the sea in Lyme also proved to be dangerous as she got a severe head injury as a consequence. So it is good to be feeble and easily persuaded in some situations and firm in others.

Lauren - SERIESous Books wrote: "Does anyone else find that Frederick and Anne rarely interact together? Not that I was expecting a romance by today's standards (where it is the entire focus of the novel). But I just feel like the..."

I definitely agree that Anne and Frederick's romance is not the key focus of the book. This is because, in my opinion, it is not the time for them to romance. They had their chance and did all those things when they were young (19 years old) and courted and fell in love. This is a more mature phase in their life where they have lived separate lives and are trying to come to terms with the mistakes they both made in the past as well as the regrets they have. Frederick is bitter and angry at Anne for not keeping her promise. Anne regrets her mistake and has chosen a solitary life despite getting other offers. They are trying to make sense of their lives in a new world with their new relationships which they made after separating. They already know each other very well and know what ticks off the other's buttons. They don't need to rediscover that.