At this point in the story, I’m not a huge fan of Wentworth. His actions are totally understandable and relatable, and I can’t say that I would behave better under the same circumstances. But when Anne is such a genuinely good character who made a sad but prudent choice years before, his actions come across as very resentful and insensitive. Anne makes it clear that, had their situations been reversed, she would have sought his hand again once she made her fortune. The fact that Wentworth didn’t do that and instead spent several years being angry shows that there is much he could learn from Anne about prudence, forgiveness, and humility. Also, judging by his behavior, he is clearly *not* over Anne and is risking Henrietta and Louisa’s feelings by recklessly encouraging them. So far, Captain Wentworth has a lot of growing to do to gain my good opinion.
I feel like my opinion on Captain Wentworth at this point is colored by that fact that their initial engagement seems very imprudent. It doesn’t sound like Anne’s father can afford to settle much money on her, and Wentworth doesn’t have any of his own yet. What were they going to live on (and support their likely children on) while he moved up in the navy and made his fortune? Elinor Dashwood would not approve 😂
It bugs me that with the benefit of maturity he doesn’t seem to see the challenges with his initial proposal
I’m also not a fan of Wentworth at this stage. His actions seem overly exaggerated and from that I can only surmise he is still deeply hurt from his broken engagement to Anne. I wish he had taken a page out of Anne’s book and practiced her humility and tact.
For me it's one of those situations where his behavior is completely understandable--I'm sure I would behave the same! But in comparison to the way that Anne conducts herself, it doesn't reflect well on him. He clearly doesn't understand the depths of Anne--or isn't letting himself see.
I also don't blame him (much) for his behavior. It isn't perfect, but neither is it rude or cruel. He is civil but distant, and I think he is unfortunately following the crowd in their treatment of Anne. No one else treats her with much interest or respect, so it's relatively easy for him not to. Plus their earlier engagement was not publicly known and he probably wants to keep it that way.
Do you think she really is as physically altered as he says she is?
I don't feel we get the best insight into his character overall. The Crofts are delightful however. Perhaps he thinks his sister married under similar circumstances and is very happy so Anne should have married him regardless of fortune.
Wentworth’s treatment of Anne seems like a guy who has been deeply hurt and is really trying to show how little he cares for the person who hurt him. I don’t think he’s deliberately trying to be cruel or flaunt his success, but he seems determined to ignore her.
It’s been so long since I’ve loved these characters that it’s difficult for me to see Wentworth just up to this point. He does come off as proud and somewhat vengeful, I suppose. But I guess his temper might also be explained in the light of his profession - we are made to believe he has gained his fortune during war, in active combat, and that he is a man of action, rather than contemplation. “Captain Wentworth’s Diary” by Amanda offers an excellent insight into his character, as it portrays Wentworth as the young man just starting in the military, full of ambition and somewhat reckless, rather proud and a bit of a flirt. The story of his meeting with Anne and their engagement is written so well and fits seamlessly with Austen’s novel that it almost felt like reading Persuasion for the first time (again :p)
At this point in the story, I’m not a huge fan of Wentworth. His actions are totally understandable and relatable, and I can’t say that I would behave better under the same circumstances. But when Anne is such a genuinely good character who made a sad but prudent choice years before, his actions come across as very resentful and insensitive. Anne makes it clear that, had their situations been reversed, she would have sought his hand again once she made her fortune. The fact that Wentworth didn’t do that and instead spent several years being angry shows that there is much he could learn from Anne about prudence, forgiveness, and humility. Also, judging by his behavior, he is clearly *not* over Anne and is risking Henrietta and Louisa’s feelings by recklessly encouraging them. So far, Captain Wentworth has a lot of growing to do to gain my good opinion.
YES
I feel like my opinion on Captain Wentworth at this point is colored by that fact that their initial engagement seems very imprudent. It doesn’t sound like Anne’s father can afford to settle much money on her, and Wentworth doesn’t have any of his own yet. What were they going to live on (and support their likely children on) while he moved up in the navy and made his fortune? Elinor Dashwood would not approve 😂
It bugs me that with the benefit of maturity he doesn’t seem to see the challenges with his initial proposal
😂true
I’m also not a fan of Wentworth at this stage. His actions seem overly exaggerated and from that I can only surmise he is still deeply hurt from his broken engagement to Anne. I wish he had taken a page out of Anne’s book and practiced her humility and tact.
I don’t blame him at all , as from his point of view Anne broke his heart by listening to her snobbish friend.
I found myself thinking today how much happier Anne would have been with a friend like Mrs Croft instead of Lady Russell
For me it's one of those situations where his behavior is completely understandable--I'm sure I would behave the same! But in comparison to the way that Anne conducts herself, it doesn't reflect well on him. He clearly doesn't understand the depths of Anne--or isn't letting himself see.
I think tbh I just find him really sexy (love a naval uniform) so I’m biased
I also don't blame him (much) for his behavior. It isn't perfect, but neither is it rude or cruel. He is civil but distant, and I think he is unfortunately following the crowd in their treatment of Anne. No one else treats her with much interest or respect, so it's relatively easy for him not to. Plus their earlier engagement was not publicly known and he probably wants to keep it that way.
Do you think she really is as physically altered as he says she is?
I don't feel we get the best insight into his character overall. The Crofts are delightful however. Perhaps he thinks his sister married under similar circumstances and is very happy so Anne should have married him regardless of fortune.
I wonder that, too! How much has Anne really changed in 8 years?
Wentworth’s treatment of Anne seems like a guy who has been deeply hurt and is really trying to show how little he cares for the person who hurt him. I don’t think he’s deliberately trying to be cruel or flaunt his success, but he seems determined to ignore her.
It’s been so long since I’ve loved these characters that it’s difficult for me to see Wentworth just up to this point. He does come off as proud and somewhat vengeful, I suppose. But I guess his temper might also be explained in the light of his profession - we are made to believe he has gained his fortune during war, in active combat, and that he is a man of action, rather than contemplation. “Captain Wentworth’s Diary” by Amanda offers an excellent insight into his character, as it portrays Wentworth as the young man just starting in the military, full of ambition and somewhat reckless, rather proud and a bit of a flirt. The story of his meeting with Anne and their engagement is written so well and fits seamlessly with Austen’s novel that it almost felt like reading Persuasion for the first time (again :p)