Louisa Musgrove Character Analysis in Persuasion

Louisa is Charles’s younger sister and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove. Just returned from boarding school, she is generally accomplished and carefree. She is exuberant and headstrong, but also very impressionable in matters of the heart, as she easily shifts her passions from Captain Wentworth to Captain Benwick.

Louisa Musgrove Character Timeline in Persuasion

The timeline below shows where the character Louisa Musgrove appears in Persuasion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...are friendly and hospitable, neither educated nor elegant. Their children are more modern: Henrietta and Louisa are nineteen and twenty, newly returned from school at Exeter, and several young children. Anne... (full context)

...collar-bone. The apothecary declares that the injury is not critical. The same day Henrietta and Louisa visit with reports of how much more charming, handsome, and agreeable Captain Wentworth is than... (full context)

Henrietta and Louisa eagerly question Captain Wentworth about the Navy. Mrs. Musgrove grieves at this reminder of her... (full context)

...finds himself alone with Anne and the little invalid child while looking for Henrietta and Louisa. The two are unsettled; the situation is made more uncomfortable when Charles Hayter enters the... (full context)

After further observation, Anne believes that Captain Wentworth is in love with neither Henrietta nor Louisa. They are more infatuated with him; though Anne suspects Henrietta still divided in her affections.... (full context)

...They run into Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth and set out together. Captain Wentworth and Louisa flirt gaily; at one point, she exclaims that she would never allow anything to separate... (full context)

...Hayters. Mary disgustedly suggests they turn back at the prospect of encountering their lowly connections. Louisa and Charles protest, though, and it is decided that he and Henrietta will visit the... (full context)

Anne overhears Louisa telling Captain Wentworth that she encouraged Henrietta to visit Charles Hayter, though Henrietta would have... (full context)

As they walk away, Louisa tells Captain Wentworth that she wishes her brother had married Anne instead of the snobbish... (full context)

...with friends at Lyme with warm reports of the seaside town. Anne, Charles, Mary, Henrietta, Louisa, and Captain Wentworth plan a short vacation to the town. They meet Captain and Mrs.... (full context)

...local affairs and the health benefits of the seaside. They run into Captain Wentworth and Louisa, who are also taking a stroll. As they head back for breakfast, they pass a... (full context)

...with Anne; Captain Harville later praises her for her help in rejuvenating his widower friend. Louisa is determined to leap from a set of stairs into Captain Wentworth’s arms. Despite his... (full context)

The Harvilles take Louisa into their home. The doctor informs them that she has had a severe head injury.... (full context)

Captain Wentworth is deeply grieved and blames himself for giving way to Louisa’s foolish determination. Anne wonders if he now reconsiders the virtue of unwavering resolution, if he... (full context)

Louisa recovers slowly under the capable Mrs. Harville’s care. Various family friends bring updates of her... (full context)

...have recently absorbed the Musgroves. Anne informs her about the attachment between Captain Wentworth and Louisa. (full context)

Charles and Mary return to Uppercross, reporting that Louisa is recovering well though still weak. Mary has had an enjoyable stay bathing, reading, churching,... (full context)

...the house to its familial cheer. Henrietta and Captain Wentworth remain at Lyme to nurse Louisa, who is rapidly improving and is expected home soon. Anne dreads joining her sister and... (full context)

...of the Crofts who have just arrived in town. Mary writes with surprising news that Louisa and Captain Benwick are to be married. Anne marvels at this match between the lively... (full context)

...each other and they engage in warm and friendly conversation. They discuss the engagement between Louisa and Benwick; Anne delicately inquires as to Captain Wentworth’s feelings on the matter, and Admiral... (full context)

...acknowledge their acquaintance. Captain Wentworth and Anne make small talk for a while, before discussing Louisa and Captain Benwick. He expresses his doubts as to the goodness of the match; though... (full context)

...determination to forget Anne, Captain Wentworth has loved her all along. Though he flirted with Louisa out of angry pride, the events at Lyme taught him to prize Anne’s steadiness of... (full context)