PERSUASION (Unabridged) (eBook)

Jane Austen (1775–1817) stands as one of the most revered authors in the English literary canon. Her novels, characterized by their wit, social commentary, and keen observation of the early 19th-century English gentry, have continued to engage readers for over two centuries. Austen's final completed work, 'Persuasion (Unabridged)', encapsulates her mature style through its nuanced exploration of regret and second chances. Published posthumously in 1818, it follows the story of Anne Elliot, who re-encounters her former fiancé, Captain Wentworth, after a seven-year separation, delving into themes of love, constancy, and the constraining demands of society. Austen's deft use of free indirect speech—a technique that blends third-person narration with the internal thoughts of characters—allows her to probe the psyches of her personas, providing profound insight into the mores of her time. Throughout her literary career, Austen penned several other classics, including 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Sense and Sensibility', and 'Emma', all of which critiqued the institution of marriage and women's dependency on it. Austen's legacy endures, not only through her manuscript work but also through the extensive academic study her writings have invited, making her a cornerstone of women's literature and a touchstone for scholars and readers alike.