One False Step

Louisa Musgrove thought she had hit on a sure method of winning Captain Wentworth’s affections.

1817

Steps leading from the upper walkway of the Cobb to the lower, on the western side of Lyme Bay in Dorset. Louisa Musgrove sought to engage Captain Wentworth’s affections by being ‘jumped down’ from the top step, as he had jumped her down from gates and stiles.

Introduction

Anne Elliot has no expectation that Captain Wentworth will ever forgive her for turning down his proposal of marriage eight years before. Nonetheless, the Captain’s attentions to young Louisa Musgrove have been noted, and events on the promenade at Lyme in Dorset complicate matters further.

by Jane Austen 1775-1817

THERE was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth.

In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her. The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however.

She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, “I am determined I will:” he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless!

by Jane Austen 1775-1817

From ‘Persuasion’ (1817), by Jane Austen (1775-1817).

Précis

Louisa Musgrove (in Jane Austen’s novel ‘Persuasion’) liked to have Captain Wentworth catch her as she jumped down from a height, and tried it on the steps down to the lower level of the promenade at Lyme Bay. However, she jumped before the Captain was ready, sprawled on the stone-flagged pavement, and knocked herself unconscious – or worse.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate her ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What did Lousia like Captain Wentworth to do?

Suggestion

Catch her jumping down from a height.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Louisa liked to jump down from stiles. She asked Captain Wentworth to catch her. The sensation was pleasant to her.

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