Question

Regarding class and social status, which of the characters from Persuasion (Admiral Croft, Anne Elliot, Mrs. Smith, or Sir Walter) fares better?

Accepted Answer

If by "fares well" you mean is judged most kindly by the narrative voice, I'd say that Mrs. Smith fares the best. She is approved of for her manners even in difficult circumstances.

By contrast, characters such as Sir Walter are openly mocked; he is shown to be foolish, and his concern with social status is the source of much of his foolishness.

Answer

The verb 'fare' means "to perform in a specified way in a particular situation or period." The question would mean whether there is an improvement in the class and social status of the characters.There is no change in the class or  social status of Admiral Croft. Throughout the novel he is a  respectable retired naval officer.Anne Elliot who is a member of the landed gentry marries Captain Wentworth a rich naval officer. Although at first sight it may seem that her class  and social status are lowered because of her marriage to Wentworth in reality there is an improvement, because her father's estate would  anyway be inherited by Mr.Elliot-a person whom she had decided againgst marrying. Anne is not at all perturbed that she is marrying someone below her class and social status  on the contrary  "She (Anne) gloried in being a sailor's wife."In Mrs. Smith's case, the only improvement is the fact that Wentworth will be able to retrieve for her some of her late husband's assets from the West Indies.Sir Walter, a baronet from the landed gentry remains one till the end; however his extravagant lifestyle lands him in all sort of financial difficulties and he is aware that Mr. Elliot will inherit his estate after his death. So, although there is no deterioration in social or class status, he fares very badly financially.

Persuasion

Regarding class and social status, which of the characters from Persuasion (Admiral Croft, Anne Elliot, Mrs. Smith, or Sir Walter) fares better?

Expert Answers

We’ll help your grades soar

Related Questions

Austen's treatment of class and social mobility reveal what about Anne and Sir Walter, Admiral Croft & Mrs Smith?

Sir Walter approves Elizabeth's friendship with Mrs. Clay in Persuasion, but not Anne's friendship with Mrs. Smith. Why?

What are the similarities between Sir Walter Elliot in Persuasion and Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice?

Compare and contrast lessons learned by Anne Elliot in "Persuasion", Harriet in "Emma", and Elizabeth Bennett in "Pride and Prejudice".

If Sir Walter's views and values are ridiculed, then what does Austen offer up instead, and what argument does Austen make about social class in Persuasion?Persuasion satirizes the elite through...