Izvorni znanstveni članak
State of the Nation and the Novel: Jane Austen’s Persuasion
Borislav Knežević
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu
Sažetak
Jane Austen’s Persuasion (1818) has frequently been discussed in literary criticism for its portrayal of the social world of the landed gentry. For some critics, this portrayal represents a departure from the fictional world of Austen’s earlier novels, particularly with regard to the role assigned to naval officers. This article examines the novel’s “state-of-the-nation” vision through an analysis of the thematic shift in focus from the landed gentry to the naval profession. In this context, particular attention is devoted to the representation of wealth and social status, as well as to the ways in which naval characters are integrated into established social hierarchies. The article also engages with several influential critical interpretations of the novel’s social vision. At the same time, it argues that Persuasion offers a compelling exploration of literature and reading, although these reflections are generally not directed at the novel as a literary genre. Finally, the article argues that Persuasion foregrounds its status as a form of social analysis, while seeking to affirm both its own cultural authority and that of the novel as a genre.
Ključne riječi
Jane Austen; class; nation; novel; reading
Hrčak ID:
349030
URI
Datum izdavanja:
9.7.2026.
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