Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along: Day 14

Welcome to Day 14 of the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along! Today we're concluding Persuasion and tomorrow we'll conclude The Prayers of Jane Austen. (Bittersweet cheers that we've made it!)

You can catch up on previous posts from this three-week discussion by checking out the read-along tag or by clicking the button in the sidebar.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 23 and 24 of Persuasion. If you came prepared, go ahead and share your thoughts below! Otherwise, feel free to check in later today after you've had a chance to read today's chapters. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

P.S. If you're a blogger, please feel free to put together your own post using the button above and linking back to the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along tag, if you'd prefer to participate in the discussion that way. :)

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Persuasion Chapters 23 and 24

Discussion Format: One quote to ponder, one observation, and one question for each day's reading.

Quote to Ponder

"Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from."

[This, my friends, is what I would call an understatement! As I said in a tweet after reading it...

That pretty much sums it up. *blissful sigh*]

Honorable Mentions:

[Because this ending has so many good quotes!]

"If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear and do, and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his existence!"
- Captain Harville

[How utterly beautiful is the phrase "treasures of his existence" to describe a man's wife and children?]

"There could be only the most proper alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined in and spirits dancing in private rapture."

[Another gorgeous phrase - "spirits dancing in private rapture." Be still my heart! Or should I say, dance on, my heart!]

"There they returned again into the past, more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their reunion than when it had been first projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed in a knowledge of each other's character, truth, and attachment; more equal to act, more justified in acting."

"There was nothing less for Lady Russell to do, than to admit that she had been pretty completely wrong, and to take up a new set of opinions and of hopes."

Observation

After reading this final section, I wonder if perhaps this book should have been titled Pride and Persuasion, because Captain Wentworth was long held back by pride and Anne had been persuaded to turn him away. ;) But this ending does bring about such satisfying resolutions for all that heartache and separation!

It's helpful to hear the reasons why Wentworth behaved the way he did throughout the book. And it's just lovely to know that his feelings for Anne remained, no matter how he tried to forget them or snuff them out.

One thing I found especially gratifying was the forgiveness and healing permeating the last chapter (although sadly Anne's family remains self-centered as always). Two of Anne's dearest friends, Lady Russell and Mrs. Smith, become Wentworth's allies, as well. Wentworth chooses not to harbor ill will against Lady Russell, and he completely champions Mrs. Smith in her need, atoning for Mr. Elliot's unkindness toward her. How sweet is that?

And while we're reminded that the life of a sailor is uncertain and the sacrifices can be great, we're left with the statement that Anne "gloried in being a sailor's wife."

I think Anne might echo Mrs. Croft's words from chapter 8: "I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been spent on board a ship. While we were together, you know, there was nothing to be feared."

I think Anne and Wentworth have a happy future ahead of them. ♥

Question

We've finished the book! What are your final thoughts? Where does Persuasion rank among the Jane Austen stories you know and love?

Giveaway!

Don't forget to log your giveaway entries this week using the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen!

(Giveaway open to US residents only. Prize donated by the book's editor, Terry Glaspey. Thanks, Terry!)

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Which quote to ponder, observation, and question/response would you like to share?

Join us tomorrow for a special discussion of one of Jane Austen's prayers! (If you'd like to read along, we'll be chatting about Part III of The Prayers of Jane Austen.)