Acts of Persuasion in Jane Austen’s Novels

Abstract

The article attempts to describe the inner world of the characters in Jane Austen’s works from the perspective of the acts of persuasion. The detailed investigation reveals that the characters who, according to the authorial comments, have a low level of consciousness and moral values, often try to make their speech as persuasive as possible. They make use of their appearance, experience and the trust they enjoy. Very often the efficiency or failure of a certain act of persuasion depends on the expense the speaker is subjected to the character or opposes him. Those with a higher level of consciousness and morality hardly ever attempt to impose their opinion on others. Endowed with self-awareness they manage to preserve their own way of thinking and the ability to judge correctly.