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Bridget Riley's avatar

I re-read Captain Wentworth’s letter several times - it really is the best! The novel’s ending isn’t the sweet, happy ending that is often associated with “romance” novels, but I would argue that Jane Austen’s books are never solely about the romance. While the last line of some of her other novels might not be so overtly pragmatic, I think that she often injects a dose of reality or a less-than-happy ending for at least some of her characters. For Jane and Bingley, for example, she says that they struggle with setting boundaries with Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, and Wickham, and even end up moving closer to Elizabeth and Darcy to escape Mrs. Bennet’s attentions. It’s something I love about her storytelling, they way that she sees so clearly the effects that people’s behavior will have on their lives, even in seemingly small things.

I’m honestly a little torn on whether Anne made the right decision or not, but I think that’s part of the point. It’s not a clear situation of she’s-right-he’s-wrong. Wentworth’s stubborn resentment was certainly wrong, but neither of them was inherently wrong in their choice to continue or end the engagement. I tend to lean more toward Anne’s side of the issue, but I also totally see Wentworth’s perspective of wanting to stand together against the odds. And Lady Russell is not always right, as we have seen.

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Elizabeth Lima's avatar

I do think she was right - we talked early in the novel about whether lady Russell was right to give the advice, which I agree is a harrier question, but I definitely think teenage, inexperienced, besotted anne was right to follow the advice of the most caring and sensible adult in her orbit. A case of best intentions with no crystal ball!

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