Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along: Day 13

Welcome to Day 13 of the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along! You can follow along on this three-week discussion of Persuasion and The Prayers of Jane Austen by checking out the read-along tag or by clicking the button in the sidebar.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 21 and 22 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 21 and 22
Discussion Format: One quote to ponder, one observation, and one question for each day's reading.
Quote to Ponder

"How she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case, was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be his forever."

Honorable Mentions:

"What wild imaginations one forms where dear self is concerned! How sure to be mistaken!"  - Anne Elliot

"Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can hardly have much truth left." - Anne Elliot

Observation

The truth is out! Crisis averted, Anne's good opinion converted. (Couldn't resist!)

After watching the 1995 movie adaptation (hugs to you all who joined in!), it seems to me that the book's reality is even more unpleasant than the movie's. We're presented with all sorts of little details about Mr. Elliot's unkindness to Anne's family, to her dear friend Mrs. Smith (and the late Mr. Smith), and to his late wife. I appreciate Anne's willingness to give Mr. Elliot the benefit of the doubt and to distrust any gossip, but her dear friend has quite a bit to say against the man, making his general disposition and selfishness quite clear.

(Although I must say, I think Mrs. Smith's excuses for not coming out and revealing everything about Mr. Elliot right away flimsy at best. I would think that if Anne were going to marry Mr. Elliot, that she should be even more entitled to a warning! I greatly admire Mrs. Smith from former chapters, but I don't agree with her reasoning in this section.)

As for chapter 22, I feel like there are some interesting tidbits about Mr. Elliot and Captain Wentworth (love how obvious Wentworth's interest is in all things concerning Anne, even if he's still being too stubborn!), but overall it seems more of a set-up for the final scenes. Either that, or I was just too tired to completely appreciate what I was reading. ;) (Confession: I did close my eyes and rest for a bit while I was in the midst of the chapter. I think this section was longer than most of our other daily readings!)

Can't believe we'll be discussing the last two chapters tomorrow!

Question

If you were in Mrs. Smith's position, what would you have done? That is to say, if you knew some pretty awful things about the person your friend might be marrying, would you stay silent in hopes that things would work out all right, or would you tell your friend what you know, even if it could alter her future/relationship?

P.S. Would it make a difference to your response if you were living in Austen's time instead of today?

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 to discuss the last two chapters of the book: chapters 23 and 24!