Persuasion: Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Captain Frederick Wentworth, Mr. Wentworth’s brother, is the subject of Anne’s anticipation; he lived in Monkford in 1806, seven years earlier when he and Anne were in their early twenties, where he and Anne fell in love. He was a fine young man, intelligent and spirited; however, he has neither wealth nor good social connections to render him Anne’s social equal.

Anne and Captain Wentworth planned to marry, but Sir Walter and Lady Russell considered the alliance very degrading and Captain Wentworth reckless. Lady Russell strongly opposed the match, believing it her duty to protect Anne from throwing herself away in such an unequal match. She eventually persuaded the young and gentle Anne to call off their engagement as imprudent. Heartbroken, Anne nonetheless consoled herself that she was acting in both of their best interests. However, Captain Wentworth believes himself ill-used by Anne and leaves the country. Anne’s grief at the broken engagement fades away her youthful spirit and beauty.

Seven years later, Anne has had no second attachment (although Charles Musgrove proposed to her before marrying her sister Mary), change of place, nor enlargement of society to distract her, although time has eased her suffering. Although she does not blame Lady Russell for her advice, she regrets her decision; time has justified Captain Wentworth’s hopes for the future, as he has by now attained a handsome future and rank in the navy. Having been prudent in her youth, she has learned romance with maturity. Now that Captain Wentworth’s sister, Mrs. Croft, will reside in Kellynch Hall, these memories resurface.