Subtle Feminism and Gender-based Representations in Jane Austen's Persuasion

Authors : Tuğba Karabulut

Pages : 294-315

Doi:10.15182/diclesosbed.1658253

View : 275 | Download : 489

Publication Date : 2025-10-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :“Jane-uary” 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, celebrating her significant contributions to 19th-century English literature. Austen’s innovative plots, narrative techniques, characterisations and vivid portrayals of ordinary life shaped the evolution of the English novel. Her final novel, Persuasion, published posthumously in 1817, is often considered the most overlooked of her works; however, it stands out as the most mature of her novels, offering a profound exploration of women’s inner lives and desires, particularly with regard to women’s autonomy in marriage. Unlike Austen’s earlier heroines, Anne Elliot is a subtle feminist who is granted greater feminist recognition, evolving individually, emotionally, and intellectually throughout the novel. Through Anne, Austen subtly conveys her feminist motives, prioritizing love and female emotions over societal approval. This paper offers a new perspective on Persuasion, interpreting Anne’s journey as her self-persuasion toward personal healing and the reconstruction of her identity, where she asserts autonomy and equality in her approach to marriage. It also extends to other female characters, highlighting Austen’s empowerment of women with strength, independence and agency. From an aesthetic perspective, this paper further includes a discussion of selected illustrations created for this novel, and explores their role as gender-based visual representations.
Keywords : İkna, gizli feminizm, toplumsal cinsiyet temelli temsiller, evlilikte özerklik, yeniden kimlik inşası

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