Paying close attention to language, tone and narrative methods, discuss the

following passage, showing what it adds to Austen’s presentation of the

relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth.
This extract plays a fundamental role in establishing one of the rising actions
leading up to the novel’s climax where Captain Wentworth expresses his love
for Anne in a letter. Anne attends a concert that she long anticipated because
Captain Wentworth would be one of the guests. At this concert, she and
Wentworth have a conversation and Austen employs several linguistic and
narrative devices, presenting Anne and Captain Wentworth’s relationship in a
number of fascinating ways.

The extract is rich with linguistic elements that create a vivid picture of the
events in this piece and effectively present Anne and Wentworth’s relationship
as intimate and reconciled.The adverb “instantly” depicts the enthusiasm and
eagerness in Anne’s speech towards Wentworth, revealing her love for Captain
Wentworth as she speedily tries to spark conversation with him. Malone (2012)
highlights this as an example of the female gaze in the novel since Anne pursues
Wentworth as the object of her desire. Since Anne, the novel’s heroine is the
subject and Captain Wentworth is the object, the idea of the female gaze is
made implicit. I believe that Anne’s female gaze places emphasis on her love
for Wentworth and presents their relationship as intimate.
Another linguistic element in the extract is the conjunction “in spite of” which
spotlights Anne’s character development from timid and sheepish to
independent. Anne continues in her conversation with Wentworth even though
her seemingly intimidating father is right behind her. From this, some literary
theorists infer that Anne no longer seeks her father’s validation of Captain
Wentworth and is unbothered by Sir Walter’s disapproval of him. This could
suggest that the relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth is
reconciled since what previously separated them is no longer an issue. Anne is
no longer the impressionable young woman she was in the past. Now, she
expresses indifference towards Sir Walter’s disdain for Wentworth. Due to her
character development, she and Wentworth reconcile as evidenced by their
steady conversation at the concert.

Furthermore, a series of action verbs are used to present Anne and Wentworth’s
relationship as conditional and somewhat fragile.The verbs “distinguish, guess,
comprehended and improved” are employed as Anne senses her father’s
“reluctant” acknowledgement of Captain Wentworth which appears to
“improve” her spirits. Critics interpret this as Anne seeking approval for her
relationship from her father, thereby presenting her relationship with Captain
Wentworth as conditional in that it depends on Sir Walter’s consent. Critics
further highlight that Anne appears to be motivated to continue in her pursuit of
Wentworth when her father acknowledges him. On the other hand, others
contend that Anne has developed as a character and no longer seeks her father’s
assent. I believe that Anne has matured into an independent woman and grown
past her young and impressionable self. However, her appreciation for Sir
Walter’s slight acknowledgement of Wentworth does not nullify her character
development. Therefore, her relationship with Captain Wentworth is depicted as
reconciled and impregnable.

In addition, Austen employs hyphens within the dialogue between Anne and
Wentworth as a narrative technique to heighten the suspense of this piece as it
leads up to the climax. Hyphens appear to portray Wentworth’s nerves and
hesitation as he talks to Anne. One can infer that he wants to confess his love
for Anne but lacks the confidence to do so at this time. Malone (2012) contends
that this exemplifies the reality and consequence of pride in the novel. Pride
delays Wentworth’s pursuit of Anne thus presenting the undefined nature of
their relationship. Both Anne and Captain Wentworth are unsure of how the
other feels about them which leaves their relationship faint and undefined.

Finally, a conversational tone is used by Anne in the novel when she instigates
conversation with Captain Wentworth by asking “How do you do?” This seems
to align with Malone’s idea of the female gaze because Wentworth is the object
of Anne’s desire. This tone hints at the intimacy of their relationship as they are
now able to converse while previously in the novel, they barely talked to one
another. Even after 8 years of separation, Captain Wentworth and Anne try to
rekindle their relationship, unveiling the intimate presentation of their
relationship.

To sum up, this extract reveals the intimate, reconciled and undefined nature of
Anne and Captain Wentworth’s relationship through language, tone and use of
hyphens in dialogue.