Persuasion, Austen’s last complete novel, is markedly different
from the rest of her works as the heroine is an ‘aging’ maiden as per
early nineteenth century standards. Anne Elliot, the second of three
daughters hailing from an aristocratic family, is single at the age of
twenty-seven. Anne experiences many trials in the course of finding
love as circumstances bring her back in touch with her ex-fiancé, naval
officer Captain Wentworth, whom she had rejected many years ago
due to family pressure. Having been well received upon publication,
Persuasion has been adapted frequently on film, stage and television.