So...many...people named..Charles...

            Jane Austen’s Persuasion presents a novel towards the end of the Elizabethan period of English history, where society was dominated by nobility and birthright. However, throughout the novel various characters are seen who don't follow the birthright tradition, but yet still find themselves in a position of nobility. Two notable characters who partake in the novel’s class structure would be Mr. Elliot Jr. and Mr. Wentworth. Cousin of the three Elliot sisters, Mr. Elliot joins the company of Anne in hopes of gaining, “…independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of inferior birth”(Austen 12). With Sir Walter having no immediate male heir to inherit his estate, the estate inheritance by law would pass down to Mr. Elliot. However, the possibility to have a male child was still prevalent, and to further solidify his own position, Mr. Elliot wished to marry Anne, his cousin. This would allow a definite inheritance given to Mr. Elliot along with companionship. However, Anne soon finds out of Mr. Elliot’s true intent in marrying her from Mrs. Smith along with more information about his involvement with Mr. Smith, leading to Anne giving up on Mr. Elliot. Ultimately, no other character in the story so profoundly portrays the power of the class system of rule and inheritance than Mr. Elliot. He goes as far as to deceptively marry his cousin in an attempt to play the system and gain more power. 

However, many people of this time came to defy the social norm, with new stories such as those from Mr. Fredrick Wentworth becoming more and more common. Wentworth, unlike many of the other noble gentry of the novel, was never born into power or high class. Wentworth made his fortune and name through rising the ranks of the navy, which as Sir Walter believes is a,“…means of bringing persons of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of”(Austen 35). Sir Walter, whom was born into the position he is in, begins to dislike Wentworth in the beginning due to this factor. It is also for this reason why Anne comes back around after their first love interest with years prior to the novel. Before Wentworth made a powerful name for himself, Lady Russel convinced Anne to call off the previous engagement with him due to his standing. However, all ideas of class difference are thrown aside towards the end of the novel and the climax of Anne marrying Wentworth. Wentworth exemplifies the new idea of merit being held higher than birth, as he earned his high standing and wealth, unlike many of the other nobles in the book.

Works Cited

Austen, Jane. Persuasion. Cambridge, MA: Belknap of Harvard UP, 2011. IBooks.

Hey Arnold!

The short story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” presents a mid-nineties teenage haven full of music, drive-in movies, and obvious religious undertones. However in everything amidst this era, religious undertones, like the story’s antagonist, Arnold Friend, do not fit in. The story describe a quickly changing relationship with Connie, a fifteen year old girl and Friend. Oates uses various religious messages through the popular culture, which Joyce M. Wegs describes as, “…gods of modern society,” that have, “…substituted for conventional religion”(Wegs 100). These gods consist of music, dance, and general teenage amusement which Connie has devoted herself to. Connie is seen to only really concern herself with these teenage amusements, which Wegs relates as worship to a religious god. Wegs goes on to further the idea of religious symbolism through the story by relating the diner Connie and her friend enters as church-like, and her journeys there as, “…grotesquely parodied religious pilgrimage “(Wegs 100). The diner is seen as a teenage social hub, and contains in abundance the many references to the previously mentioned gods (i.e. jukeboxes for music, flirting, etc.), almost like a regular church. Wegs even describes the building itself resembling a place of worship, with pointed structure and symbols. 

However, one big religious hint seen was with Arnold Friend himself. Friend, whose, “…slippery friendly smile,” that all, “…the boys used to get across ideas they didn't want to put into words,” acted as the Devil did in biblical terms (Oates 5). Friend is constantly portrayed as a nice character on the outside, however seeming slightly off. This is until Connie begins to see through Friend’s deception, and begin to believe that Friend is merely a disguise intended to fool Connie. Arnold Friend, just as the Devil did in biblical terms, tried to persuade and talk over Connie into doing a horrible deed. Although in Oates’ story, the apple of Eden is more realistically depicted as the golden car which Friend tries to persuade Connie to drive off with him in.  

As a reaction, I believed the short story was eye opening. From merely a reader’s standpoint I was very intrigued and amused by the twists that ensued as Friend began to change personas, going from a light-hearted ladies man to a devilish and sinister villain. I was also fascinated by Wegs’ religious interpretation by connecting now obvious links with the short story to religion. Overall, I believe the short story’s value and hidden meaning give more to the plot, making this short story anything but short.