In Jane Austen’s novel, “Persuasion,” characters such as Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth believe characteristics such as firmness and good judgement, in addition to meaningful friendships lead to happiness in life. Aristotle once said, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” (Dobrin). He believed that this happiness is acquired in the long-term by acquiring virtues such as prudence and courage (“Aristotle”). Aristotle also regarded friendship as a significant virtue in attaining happiness (“Aristotle”). Thus, Aristotle’s views on the meaning of life are analogous to those of the characters in Austen’s novel, “Persuasion.” The characters in this novel find the virtues of courage, prudence, and friendship significant to achieving happiness, which fits with the Aristotelian view of the meaning of life.
Firstly, Captain Wentworth believes that having a courageous wife will lead to a happy married life. When he speaks to his sister about the type of woman he wants to marry, he specifies that she needs to have “a strong mind, with sweetness of manner” (Austen 60). This indirectly targets Anne Elliot, because he strongly feels that she was easily persuaded by her family and Lady Russell to not marry him due to his social status at the time. Therefore, he now seems to think that a strong-minded woman would not have given him up so easily and would be a better match for him. Captain Wentworth’s thoughts are displayed again when he speaks to Louisa, his potential suitor, regarding the difference between an indecisive individual and a firm individual.
Louisa begins this discussion by explaining how if it was not for her, Henrietta would not have visited her suitor, Charles Hayter. Louisa claims how she would not be “so easily persuaded” as Henrietta if she was determined in accomplishing a task (Austen 85). Wentworth praises Louisa for having a “character of decision and firmness” (Austen 85), and then goes on to criticize those with an “indecisive” character, again indirectly referring to Anne (Austen 85). Wentworth then says, “let those who would be happy be firm” (Austen 86). He compares the maximum happiness of a strong hazelnut that has not fallen off a tree to the firmness of character. He tells Louisa that anyone who he is interested in should be confident and have a strong character.
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Wentworth’s statements are very similar to the Aristotelian view of how possessing certain virtues, such as courage, lead to happiness. By analyzing these instances of Wentworth describing the type of woman he wants to marry, one can see that he strongly believes that marrying a woman with strength and courage will lead to a life of happiness. Aristotle’s view of courage was that there needs to be the right amount of courage, meaning not to rash or cowardly (“Aristotle”). In Wenthworth’s eyes, Anne is too cowardly and Louisa has the right amount of courage. Ironically, Louisa’s stubborn character leads to her sustaining a head injury and ending her relationship with Captain Wentworth. Thus, in my opinion, an individual needs to have a limited firmness of character.
Next, Anne displays much prudence throughout the novel, making her one of the most intelligent characters in the novel and ultimately leading to her happiness. She always seems to have accurate judgements regarding individuals’ characters. When Mr. Elliot reconciles with the Elliots, everyone, including Lady Russell — Anne’s confidant — is impressed with him, because he is very “agreeable” and well-mannered (Austen 144). However, Anne is skeptical regarding his excessively agreeable nature. When Lady Russell mentions to Anne that Mr. Elliot and her would be a suitable match, Anne disagrees that it would not be a good match. Through her thoughts, readers can see that Anne is very suspicious about Mr. Elliot’s character and motives. She thinks that although he is “rational, discreet, polished,” he is “not open,” which to Anne is an “imperfection” (Austen 159-160).
Anne judges his character accurately before even knowing his true motives for reuniting with the Elliots — the next baronet of Kellynch. Her prudence in analyzing individuals makes her conclude to not marry Mr. Elliot, even though she becomes really excited when Lady Russell mentions the idea of Anne becoming “the future mistress of Kellynch” (Austen 158). She denies this idea instantly, because “her judgement was against Mr. Elliot” (Austen 159). If it were not for her accurate judgements, she would have married Mr. Elliot and would have not led a happy life. Thus, her good sense of judgement eventually results in her happiness at the end of the novel when she marries Captain Wentworth, demonstrating the Aristotelian view of the meaning of life.
Finally, meaningful friendship is considered as one of the most significant virtues, because they result in benefits for both parties involved. Aristotle believed that the best friendship attainable “is one that is based on virtue,” meaning that it is based on an individual altruistically wanting the best possible outcome for their friend (“Aristotle”). These types of friendships are really difficult to come by, but they are long-lasting. One such friendship is that of Anne Elliot and Mrs. Smith. For example, Mrs. Smith was there for Anne when her mother had passed away, becoming Anne’s most valued school friend. Although Mrs. Smith gained nothing from taking care of Anne at the time, she did so anyway. At the same time, after Mrs. Smith’s husband died, she became poor and “almost excluded from society” (Austen 151). Although Sir Elliot looks down upon Anne visiting her old friend, Anne visits Mrs. Smith anway, because she had “lessened [Anne’s] misery” at a time when Anne needed someone the most (Austen 150). Anne rekindled her relationship with Mrs. Smith with no selfish motives. These examples showcase that their friendship is based on virtue.
Aristotle believed that a virtuous friendship is necessary in attaining happiness, because they are mutually beneficial (Burton). This is the case for both Mrs. Smith and Anne Elliot. By being friends with Mrs. Smith, Anne learns much about Mr. Elliot’s ulterior motives. When Anne visits Mrs. Smith after the concert, Mrs. Smith seems to be under the impression that Anne was going to marry Mr. Elliot. Even though Anne tries to convince Mrs. Smith that she has no intention of marrying Mr. Elliot, Mrs. Smith goes on to say that he is a “suitable match” and that Anne could not find a more “gentlemanlike, agreeable man” (Austen 194). Mrs. Smith once again demonstrates here that she always wants the best for her friend, even though she knows about Mr. Elliot’s selfish character.
Only after Anne successfully convinces Mrs. Smith that she does not have feelings for Mr. Elliot does Mrs. Smith begin to tell Anne about Mr. Elliot’s actual character. She describes how he “is a man without heart or conscience” and how “he has no feeling for others” (Austen 197). She tells Anne about how he married his wife for her fortune, about how he led her husband into debt, and how he was no help to her when her husband passed away. She also discusses that he reconciled with the Elliots, because he wanted to prevent Mrs. Clay from marrying Sir Elliot so that he can secure his position as the next rightful heir to Kellynch. Anne would not have known Mr. Elliot’s true intentions if it were not Anne’s relationship with Mrs. Smith. Additionally, Mrs. Smith would not have attained her land in the West Indies if it were not for her relationship with Captain Wentworth. At the end of the novel, when Anne and Wentworth get married, Wentworth is able to help Mrs. Smith in recovering Mr. Smith’s property in the West Indies.
All in all, the characters in “Persuasion” value achieving happiness in life. They believe that this happiness will be attained when they possess and marry someone that possesses the virtues of courage, prudence, and friendship. These views are very similar to the Aristotelian view of the meaning of life. I agree with Aristotle’s belief that certain virtues lead to happiness in life, but I also believe that I will only attain complete happiness after achieving my career aspirations and after starting a family on my own. I feel that the majority of individuals think that attaining happiness is their goal in life; however, how everyone attains this happiness varies from individual to individual.
