Anne & Captain Wentworth
A second chance, eight years on
In "Persuasion," Anne Elliot rejected the naval officer Wentworth under family pressure; eight years later he returns wealthy and resentful, and the two must admit the love never died.
01Why it matters
It is Jane Austen's last and most mature novel, with one of the most famous love letters in literature.
02The conflict
Wentworth's wounded pride and social pressure.
03The iconic moment
Wentworth's letter: "You pierce my soul... I am half agony, half hope."
04What survived
"Persuasion"; its film and television adaptations.
05Frequently asked questions
Who were Anne & Captain Wentworth?
In "Persuasion," Anne Elliot rejected the naval officer Wentworth under family pressure; eight years later he returns wealthy and resentful, and the two must admit the love never died.
Why is the story of Anne & Captain Wentworth famous?
It is Jane Austen's last and most mature novel, with one of the most famous love letters in literature.
How does the story of Anne & Captain Wentworth end?
Wentworth's letter: "You pierce my soul... I am half agony, half hope." "Persuasion"; its film and television adaptations.
Is the story of Anne & Captain Wentworth real?
Anne & Captain Wentworth is a work of fiction.
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