Clevedon Court in North Somerset dates back to the 14th century, and is now in the hands of the National Trust and open to the public, though the Elton family still lives there. The action in ‘Persuasion’ takes place in Somerset, in Bath and also at the fictional village of Uppercross, where Anne’s unfeeling sister Mary lived with her husband Charles Musgrove.
Introduction
Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth meet again seven years after Anne rejected Frederick’s proposal of marriage, under pressure from a trusted friend. A chance remark by the Captain, repeated by Anne’s sister Mary, leads them both to convince themselves that love is dead – and that they are happier that way.
“CAPTAIN Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so attentive to me. Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they went away, and he said, ‘You were so altered he should not have known you again.’”
Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister’s in a common way, but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.
“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for he was not altered, or not for the worse. No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look.
“So altered that he should not have known her again!” These were words which could not but dwell with her. Yet she soon began to rejoice that she had heard them. They were of sobering tendency; they allayed agitation; they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
Précis
Seven years after declining his proposal of marriage, Anne Elliot met Frederick Wentworth. Anne’s tactless sister revealed that Frederick had remarked on how those seven years had left Anne almost unrecognisable from the pretty girl he once knew, and Anne was mortified. However, knowing she could expect nothing more from him seemed strangely comforting. (54 / 60 words)
Seven years after declining his proposal of marriage, Anne Elliot met Frederick Wentworth. Anne’s tactless sister revealed that Frederick had remarked on how those seven years had left Anne almost unrecognisable from the pretty girl he once knew, and Anne was mortified. However, knowing she could expect nothing more from him seemed strangely comforting.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, if, may, since, unless, whether, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
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.
Post Box : Ask Nicholas
Grok : Ask Grok
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