obre a influncia de Borges, Garca Mrquez e, surpreendentemente, Machado de Assis: Acho que Borges foi uma m influncia. Minha natureza como escritor no borgiana, mas quando descobri Fices por acaso, sem nunca ter ouvido falar nele, em minha juventude, fiquei pirado. E cometi o erro de tentar escrever daquele jeito, quando s uma pessoa podia escrever daquele jeito. Tive que aprender a no escrever como Borges. Garca Mrquez e toda a literatura doboomlatino-americano tambm foram importantes. Muita gente na ndia acha muito fcil se identificar com a literatura sul-americana, no s pelo aspecto da magia mas porque so dois mundos com uma longa histria de colonialismo, que se expressam na lngua trazida pelo colonizador, que tm uma religiosidade forte e grandes desigualdades sociais. De Machado de Assis eu roubei uma ideia. Gosto muito do incio de Memrias pstumas, quando o narrador diz que no vai explicar como faz para escrever do alm-tmulo porque os detalhes so aborrecidos demais. Usei isso em Luka para descrever a tecnologia do mundo mgico: ah, isso complicado demais para explicar. Roubei dele. Se voc tem que roubar, que seja dos bons.Uma anlise mais que aprofundada...Persuaso foi o ltimo romance completo que Austen escreveu ela comeou pouco depois de ter terminado Emma, por volta de agosto de 1815, terminando a primeira verso um ano depois, j doente. Considerando que ela escreveu Orgulho e Preconceito em 1796, no mesmo espao de um ano, para depois revis-lo e revisar de novo at 1811, compreensvel que por vezes Persuaso parea uma obra... no digo inacabada... mas sem o devido polimento.

Pois , eu tambm fiquei meio besta quando descobri que Tia Jane passou quase quinze anos revisando um livro...

Apesar disso, meu livro favorito da Austen. H um amadurecimento tanto no tema quanto na forma com que ela escreve. Para comeo de conversa, a protagonista quase uma balzaquiana, beira dos trinta anos o que, para os padres da poca, era j a meia-idade ao contrrio de todas as suas outras heronas: Jane Bennet tem 22 anos e Lizzy, 21 ao comeo de Orgulho e Preconceito; Elinor Dashwood tem 19 em Razo e Sensibilidade.

Nenhuma delas tem grande experincia podem at ter um bom senso natural, mas no experincia e todas elas esto ali se apaixonando pela primeira vez.

Essa a primeira grande diferena de Anne Elliot para todas as suas outras colegas de estante. Ela tem vinte e sete anos e no se casou o que a qualifica para se sentar com as matronas e solteironas em qualquer salo. Ela no material para casamentos ou mesmo para felizes para sempre. Alm disso, ela tem a experincia do primeiro amor e tambm de um corao partido.

engraado, mas Persuaso foi criticada duramente por sua falta de moral: em 1818, quando primeiro publicada, criticou-se porque no parecia muito sbio que aos jovens fosse permitido escolherem com quem queriam se casar a conduta de Anne era subversiva, quase escandalosa. Duzentos anos depois, os crticos reclamam que Anne quase perfeita, tediosamente desprovida de faltas.

V se entender os crticos...

A verdade ao menos na minha opinio de leitora que Persuaso sim uma obra meio subversiva, especialmente a se considerar os padres da poca. De todos os casais de Austen, Anne e Wentworth so os mais passionais, os nicos que realmente desafiam convenes (e no apenas as convenes de classe).

No era o Sr. Wentworth, o antigo cura de Monkford como as aparncias poderiam levar a supor, mas sim um capito Frederick Wentworth, seu irmo, que, tendo sido promovido a comandante em sequncia de uma batalha ao largo de So Domingos e no tendo sido imediatamente destacado, viera para Somersetshire no Vero de 1806; e, como j no tinha os pais vivos hospedara-se, durante meio ano, em Monkford. Ele era, nessa altura, um jovem esplndido, muito inteligente, ativo e brilhante; e Anne era uma menina extremamente bonita, meiga, modesta e com bom gosto e bons sentimentos. Metade da atrao sentida por cada uma das partes teria bastado, pois ele no tinha nada que fazer e ela no tinha praticamente ningum para amar, mas a confluncia de to abundantes qualidades no podia falhar. Foram-se conhecendo gradualmente e, depois de se conhecerem, apaixonaram-se rpida e profundamente.

A natureza da relao de Anne e Wentworth pode perfeitamente ter sido um dos motivos para que Lady Russell tenha aconselhado sua protegida a desmanchar o noivado. No era apenas uma diferena de classes, uma questo econmica, mas existia um componente quase incendirio na equao. Lady Russell podia ver ali uma semente para um Romeu & Julieta da vida: muito rpido, muito intenso e pouqussimo aconselhvel.

Claro, em nada facilitava que Wentworth estivesse para partir de novo e quisesse apressar as coisas o mximo possvel. Vamos concordar que alm de impulsivo, o cara era bastante cabea-dura e teimoso.

Mas eu o desculpo porque ao final das contas, Wentworth um pirata institucionalizado ainda que ele divida o botim com o Estado, no deixa de ser um pirata, pilhando navios franceses e espanhis e h poucas figuras mais charmosas que um bom e velho pirata.

Ok, esse foi um comentrio cretino. Voltemos ao que interessa...

Alis, nos primeiros estgios do reencontro e reconhecimento de Anne e Frederick, podemos ver esse elemento passional com bastante clareza.

A emoo que sentiu ao descobri-lo deixou-a completamente sem fala. Ela nem sequer conseguiu agradecer-lhe. S conseguiu ficar junto do pequeno Charles, sentindo-se muito perturbada. A amabilidade dele ao vir socorr-la, a sua atitude, o silncio em que tudo se passou, os pequenos pormenores, juntamente com a convico que logo lhe ocorreu, pelo barulho que ele estava a fazer propositadamente com a criana, de que ele tencionava evitar ouvir os seus agradecimentos e procurava mostrar que o que menos queria era conversar com ela, produziram um turbilho de sensaes confusas e dolorosas de que s conseguiu recompor-se quando Mary e as Meninas Musgrove entraram, e ela pde entregar a criana aos seus cuidados e sair da sala. Ela no podia ficar. Talvez fosse uma oportunidade para observar os amores e os cimes dos quatro; eles estavam agora todos juntos, mas ela no podia mesmo ficar.

E no esqueamos das palavras do prprio Frederick, que falando sobre James Benwick, est obviamente dando vazo aos prprios sentimentos:

Parece, pelo contrrio, ter sido um sentimento perfeitamente espontneo da parte dele, e isso surpreende-me. Um homem como ele, na sua situao! Com o corao ferido, quase destroado! Fanny Harville era uma criatura superior; e o seu amor por ela era verdadeiramente amor. Um homem no se refaz facilmente de uma tal dedicao por uma mulher assim! Ele no deve, no pode, faz-lo.

Ok, agora vamos considerar o seguinte... nessa poca, se uma garota se encontrasse sozinha na presena de um rapaz por uma certa quantidade de tempo, isso era motivo suficiente para que ela tivesse sua reputao manchada, bem como para que a famlia exigisse reparao em outras palavras, casamento.

A mulher era educada para ser uma dama perfeita, de sensibilidade e modstia, romntica, frgil Austen, alis, faz constante graa com essa imagem moldada em muitos romances seus contemporneos; no inacabado Catherine or The Bower, Mrs. Percival sente-se to absoltamente confusa com o enorme nmero de regras existentes para criar uma moa que acaba decidindo-se a reduzir todo aquele imenso cdigo moral em uma nica regra a ser aplicada a sua protegida, Catherine: no deixe sua filha conhecer um homem e voc estar segura.

Sob essa compreenso do perodo, o comportamento de Anne que puxa conversa com Wentworth no concerto em Bath, buscando seu olhar, tentando desesperadamente, por todas as formas possveis, comunicar-lhe seus sentimentos ora, isso era realmente subversivo, escandaloso, uma imoralidade!

Antes, contudo, que cheguemos a essa parte da histria, h muito cho e muitas observaes a fazer.

Embora, realmente, a persuaso esteja constantemente presente, constantemente algum esteja sendo persuadido, influenciado, mas esse no o nico grande tema da histria.

Existe aqui realmente um conflito moral. Por um lado est tudo aquilo que Anne aprendeu durante sua vida, todas as convenes sociais, tudo aquilo que certo pelo julgamento dos outros... e tudo aquilo que certo pelo seu julgamento.

Durante a primeira parte da histria, Anne com o perdo da palavra um capacho, uma verdadeira mosca-morta. De todas as heronas de Austen, ela a mais solitria: diferentemente das Dashwood ou das Bennet, Anne no tem em nenhuma das irms um apoio, uma confidente.

A nica pessoa no mundo que se importava com ela era Lady Russell e, aps a amargura de sua despedida de Wentworth, mesmo ela, Anne afastou.

O engraado que Anne, figurativamente, a garota perfeita. Ela tem boas maneiras, gentil, delicada, gosta de livros, toca bem, fala italiano com fluncia, capaz de administrar uma casa apesar dos mandos e desmandos da irm e do pai, inteligente, tem senso de humor ela , enfim, o modelo daquela moa prendada que Lizzy, os Bingley e Darcy discutem em Netherfield.

Mas Anne , tambm, uma pessoa vazia. Tendo escolhido viver por princpios e pelo julgamento da sociedade uma deciso completamente racional ela sacrificou sua felicidade. E o que ganhou com isso? Vivendo sombra da famlia, uma sombra ela mesma, permitindo que todos usem e abusem de si: ao incio do livro, Anne perdeu toda a energia, toda a vontade de viver. Ela passa pelas horas e dias de forma mecnica.

Em outras palavras, Anne um zumbi.

No h nenhuma ao positiva da parte de nenhum dos protagonistas para precipitar o reencontro. Anne e Frederick terminam a histria juntos por um golpe de sorte: em quase oito anos, nenhum deles fez qualquer tentativa de contatar o outro; no tivessem eles se reencontrado, independente do quanto tenham sido obviamente feitos um para o outro, independente de nenhum dos dois ter encontrado felicidade nos braos de outra pessoa (e ambos obviamente tiveram a chance de tentar), no fosse o acidente de percurso dos Croft terem ido parar em Kellynch Hall, eles nunca teriam agido em seus sentimentos.

Obviamente que se isso tivesse acontecido, no haveria muita graa em ler a histria, no verdade?

Ok, o que eu tenho para dizer sobre Frederick... bem, primeiro, que, embora Mr. Darcy seja uma quase unanimidade, meu protagonista favorito das novelas de Austen o capito. Afinal, ele usa uniforme (kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk), e alm de tudo, ele um pirata, e eu tenho uma certa queda por piratas no os de verdade, claro, aqueles que passavam meses no mar sem tomar banho e cheiravam ao "delicioso" perfume de rum e suor e sujeira.

No, eu prefiro os piratas ficcionais, muito obrigada. Aqueles que no cheiram. Ou, se cheiram, pelo menos s na descrio literria.

Segundo... por mais apaixonante que Wentworth seja, eu no vou negar que ele , ao menos no princpio da histria, um bastardo egosta que no sabe o que quer e deliberadamente cruel.

Se fosse uma histria passada no dias de hoje, eu realmente guardaria um imenso rancor da Anne por ter desmanchado o noivado deles. Eu diria que ela se deixava influenciar muito facilmente e que ela tinha a escolha de ficar com ele. luz da poca em que a histria se passa, contudo, as coisas no so to simples.

Eu j disse antes que Anne e Wentworth so dos casais mais passionais de Austen e que essa irracionalidade que um componente da paixo talvez tenha sido um dos motivos pelos quais Lady Russell aconselhou Anne a deixar Frederick partir. Mas, alm disso, temos a questo de classe e de dinheiro tambm.

muito fcil se deixar levar por noes romnticas, de que no importam quais os obstculos que se estabeleam, o amor supera tudo.

H vrios cenrios como resultado do que aconteceria se Anne tivesse continuado com o compromisso. Considerando que ela mesma no tinha uma herana ou um dote; e que Frederick muito menos tinha onde cair morto, no havia como eles se casarem de imediato.

Se ainda assim eles tivessem decidido que iam sobreviver de beijos e abraos, o que aconteceria quando Anne se visse sozinha, em terra, enquanto Frederick ia para a guerra? Considere ainda que no existiam carros, o sistema de correios era precrio, s vezes os navios passavam meses estacionados no mar e incomunicveis por causa de uma calmaria...

Algum pode talvez argumentar que Sofia Croft, a irm de Frederick, seguiu seu marido bordo. Mas a est: o prprio Wentworth diz que nunca admitiria, de bom grado, senhoras a bordo de um navio seu, exceto para um baile ou uma visita de algumas horas. E uma coisa levar a esposa a bordo quando se est viajando em negcios da Companhia das ndias Ocidentais; outra bem diferente carregar a esposa no meio de uma guerra declarada para um dos principais campos de combate.

Ento, Frederick no levaria Anne para viver com ele num navio. Tudo bem, eles poderiam ento postergar o casamento at que ele tivesse juntado dinheiro suficiente para poder comprar uma casa e instalar a esposa com um mnimo de conforto.

J ouviram o ditado longe dos olhos, longe do corao? Se j, vocs provavelmente so capazes de entender porque um noivado longo, longussimo, sem formas de comunicao entre os dois amantes, dois jovens e bastante inexperientes amantes; sem perspectivas certas alm de uma vaga esperana, seria um ponto negativo no livro de Lady Russell.

Dessa forma, pensando dentro das caractersticas da poca, a cautela da deciso de Anne talvez tenha sido sua salvao. Bem verdade que Frederick teve uma imensa sorte e quase que em sua primeira misso comissionada, j comeou a fazer dinheiro... mas e se ele no tivesse conseguido? Ou se ele tivesse morrido no mar enquanto Anne esperava por ele? Ou se Anne, como Fanny Harville, tivesse morrido enquanto Frederick estava longe?

O quo justo voc pedir que uma pessoa o espere por anos a fim, ainda que quase todas as apostas estejam contra voc? E o quo justo voc pedir que a pessoa que voc supostamente ama escolha entre voc e a nica outra criatura em todo mundo que parece se importar com ela?

Ento, como eu disse, Frederick foi um bastardo egosta, incapaz de realmente pensar em Anne na verdade, o tempo todo, ele estava pensando apenas em si mesmo.

muito fcil para Louisa dizer que seguiria at o fim e uma vez tendo feito uma deciso, ela no arredaria p. Muito fcil dizer que fazemos isso ou aquilo enquanto o isso e aquilo so apenas hipteses.

Eu acho que Anne perdoou Frederick muito fcil depois de tudo o que ele aprontou mais uma vez, a paixo falou mais alto. Todas as vezes em que ele falava besteira sobre o que queria numa esposa, o que queria numa mulher ou ainda, quando flertava (ou ao menos aceitava o flerte) com as duas irms Musgrove, era sempre quando Anne estava por perto.

Se isso no era uma aberta provocao, eu no sei mais o que poderia ser.

O interessante que Frederick no se decide sobre o que quer. Ele ama Anne, e ama nela suas maneiras, sua gentileza, pela modesta virtude, mas deseja que ela se revolte contra as mesmas tradies que fazem dela ser quem ela e deseja que ela se revolte apenas quando lhe conveniente, lembrando que ele no deseja uma esposa que o siga para o mar.

Aps oito anos, Frederick continua um homem zangado, emocionalmente confuso e que se recusa a ver a razo.

Nenhum dos dois protagonistas perfeito e, a considerar todas essas qualidades de ambos, eu diria que, se tivessem ficado juntos oito anos antes, eles provavelmente no teriam sido to felizes quanto o foram quando se reencontraram oito anos depois.

Isso porque, ao longo da histria, Frederick comea finalmente a enxergar os erros de seus prprios atos e isso o faz particularmente irresistvel, ao menos, para mim: por mais rgido em seus princpios e orgulhoso que seja nosso caro capito, ele sabe reconhecer quando errou; ele sabe pedir perdo e, mesmo depois de oito anos de solido e amargura pela suposta traio de Anne, ele ainda capaz de ter esperana e coragem para se arriscar de novo.

E, se at ento eu tivesse conseguido me manter inconquistvel, depois da carta que ele escreve para Anne, o que mais me restava alm de cair de amores por esse personagem?

"J no consigo mais ouvir em silncio. Tenho de lhe falar pelos meios ao meu alcance. Tu transpassa-me a alma. Sou parte agonia e parte esperana. No me diga que demasiado tarde, que sentimentos to preciosos morreram para sempre. Eu volto a me oferecer a ti, com um corao que ainda mais teu do que quando o despedaaste oito anos e meio atrs. No diga que o homem esquece mais depressa que a mulher, que o amor dele morre mais cedo. Eu no amei ningum, se no a ti. Posso ter sido injusto, posso ter sido fraco e rancoroso, mas nunca inconstante. Vim a Bath unicamente por tua causa. Os meus pensamentos e planos so todos para ti. No reparaste nisso? No percebeste dos meus desejos? Se eu tivesse conseguido ler os teus sentimentos, como creio que deve ter decifrado os meus, no teria esperado estes dez dias. Mal consigo escrever. Estou a cada instante ouvindo coisas que me emocionam. Tu abaixas a voz, mas posso distinguir tons nessa voz que aos outros passariam despercebidos. Criatura demasiada boa, demasiada pura! Faz-nos, de fato, justia, ao acreditar que os homens so capazes de um verdadeiro afeto e uma verdadeira constncia. Creia que tal afeto mais do que fervoroso e mais do que constante em

F. W.

Tenho de ir, incerto de meu futuro; mas voltarei, ou seguirei o teu grupo, logo que possvel. Uma palavra, um olhar ser o suficiente para decidir se entrarei na casa de teu pai esta noite, ou nunca.

Ambos os personagens se redimem de suas faltas, oito anos atrs ao serem capazes de se perdoarem e perdoarem tambm aqueles envolvidos em sua separao ainda que eu duvide muito que Wentworth tivesse muita pacincia para com o sogro e as cunhadas encontrando-se assim no meio do caminho: Anne, a doce, gentil, obediente Anne, desafiando convenes e buscando deliberadamente seu capito em qualquer oportunidade que o destino lhe oferea e Frederick, o firme, orgulhoso, o convicto lutando e aceitando uma segunda chance, estendendo a mo.

Ambos assumem riscos, mas, dessa vez, ambos tm exata noo do que estaro perdendo se deixarem a oportunidade escapar mais uma vez. E apesar de todo o tempo, da decepo e da amargura, os sentimentos que nutriam um pelo outro jamais esmoreceram mesmo quando parecia tarde demais, ambos permaneceram fiis quilo que sentiam.

Depois de falarmos de Anne e Frederick; s para arrematar essa anlise, vamos tratar um pouco de outros personagens e temas da obra hoje.

Persuaso escancara na crtica - inclusive social -, que, em outros livros, era mais sutil - o preconceito de Orgulho e Preconceito no interfere tanto na relao de Darcy e Elizabeth quanto na de Anne e Frederick.

Aqui ns temos dois personagens em espectros sociais completamente diferentes (e no um cavalheiro rico e a filha de um cavalheiro; ainda que pobre): Anne filha de um baronete, membro da aristocracia; Frederick... bem, considerando que Frederick e o irmo trabalham (um como oficial naval e outro como clrigo), no acho que eles tenham herdado nada de famlia: cresceram por seus mritos; fazem parte de uma classe que comeava a despontar na poca.

Lembrem-se, afinal, que o trabalho no era exatamente uma ocupao de gentis-homens poca.

Eles so separados no por suas prprias opinies e preconceitos, mas por uma sociedade arcaica, tradicionalista - representada, especialmente, nas figuras de Sir Walter e Lady Russell.

Alis, se formos pensar direitinho, os membros da aristocracia que aparecem nas histrias de Austen - entre os quais podemos citar Lady Catherine, Sir Walter e Mr. Elliot - aparecem como caricaturas, seres mesquinhos, cheios de si, preocupados apenas consigo mesmos.

Eu tenho uma particular teoria que desenvolvi enquanto comentava este livro com algumas pessoas. No sei se vocs sabem, mas Austen foi meio que "convencida" a dedicar o romance anterior dela, Emma ao prncipe regente, que ficou conhecido exatamente por gostar de lanar moda e se preocupar demasiado com a aparncia - diz a Histria que ele foi nosso primeiro "dndi", ou o "primeiro cavalheiro da Europa" (nas palavras do prprio).

Considerando que Austen escreveu Persuaso logo aps terminar Emma, pergunto-me se sir Walter no seria uma cutucada no Prncipe George (futuro George IV, poca).

Teorias da conspirao...

Enfim... J tratei aqui antes do fato de que temos de enxergar a histria sob o prisma da poca em que ela foi escrita. Estes preconceitos so fruto de uma gerao, de uma compreenso de mundo - compreenso esta que estava passando por uma mudana que podemos acompanhar no livro.

A Revoluo Francesa abrira as feridas da diviso de classes - primeiro, segundo e terceiro estado (nobreza, clero e a plebe 'rude e ignara'...) -, situao esta que somada ao incio da Revoluo Industrial e nascimento da burguesia, fora outros Estados Europeus a fazerem mudanas em seus sistemas.

So essas mudanas, no esprito da meritocracia - que permitem tanto Frederick quanto seu cunhado e outros oficiais, subirem suas posies - so eles o que chamamos hoje de novos ricos.

Isto se reflete na obra porque, at ento, a maior parte das heronas de Austen tinham encontrado seus finais felizes em homens de sua mesma classe social - ou superiores - senhores de propriedades e bens, representando assim um elemento de segurana; ao contrrio de Anne, que, constante em seu afeto, quase se arruina (pelos padres de seu tempo, lembrem-se): se ela no tivesse reecontrado o capito, eu acredito que, no final das contas, terminaria seus dias solteira (eu no acho que ela teria se casado com Mr. Elliot, mesmo na circunstncia de no ter reencontrado Wentworth) e, muito provavelmente, sem recursos, tendo de trabalhar, talvez at como governanta.

Oh, o horror...

H aqui tambm a questo da famlia. Acho que j observei em alguma passagem anterior o quanto Anne solitria. Sua famlia, como um todo, um poo de egosmos, egos e contradies. Ela por todos preterida, considerada praticamente insignificante.

Eu sou a nica que sente vontade de quebrar o nariz da Elizabeth toda vez que ela entra em cena? A Mary ainda mais ou menos engraada com sua tendncia hipocondria - embora seja to egocntrica e preconceituosa quanto o resto da famlia - mas a mais velha das meninas Elliot simplesmente insuportvel.

Todas as pessoas que admiram o valor de Anne so de fora da famlia - a famlia Musgrove mil vezes mais atenciosa que qualquer das irms; bem como a prpria Lady Russell e os Croft.

Famlia, para os outros Elliot, aquela que pode lhes trazer vantagens.. como a viscondessa, Lady Dalrymple e o grande vilo, o escorregadio Mr. Elliot - outro imagem no muito lisonjeira dessa "grande sociedade" capturada pela obra de Jane Austen.

Story X - In the Year Eight(Author's Note: In thisPersuasionvariation, Frederick Wentworth swallows his pride and writes Anne Elliot from his new command, theHMS Laconia.)Letter #1 - Capt. Wentworth to Miss ElliotMiss Anne ElliotKellynch Hall, SomersetshireMiss Elliot,Pray forgive the liberty I take in writing to you. However, given the intimacy of our acquaintance, particularly when last we spoke two years ago, I do not believe it is totally impropriate of me to post this letter. Frankness and honestly have always been part and parcel between us, and I trust you will not think the less of me.Since last we spoke, my situation has changed. I have completed my posting toHMS Asp, and Providence has so smiled upon me as to give my sloop the opportunity to offer good service to our king and consternation to our foes. Thanks entirely to an extraordinary feat of arms by my brave and resolute crew I have lately presented the Navy with a fine prize of a thirty-six gun French frigate. In gratitude for this action, the Admiralty has made me Post-Captain and given command of the vessel, re-christenedLaconia.The ship will be refitting at Plymouth for some months, and I have been given leave. In a fortnight, I intend to visit with my relations in Somersetshire. If it be agreeable to you, I would like to pay my respects to the Elliots of Kellynch Hall during my travels.You may wonder why I make this request of you, rather than your father. While I respect your family, it would pain me exceedingly to cause you any discomfort. Therefore, if I do not receive an answer from you saying that such a visit is welcome, I shall not come. Should this scheme give you the least uneasiness, please do not write to me. Your silence will insure that I shall not enter your father's house.Before I close, allow me to say that I have thought long and hard upon your words two years ago, and I have come to see the justice in them. I bear you no ill-will; in fact, my feelings are just the opposite. However, I hesitate to impose my presence on you, and that is why I shall not come to Kellynch if that be your desire.Your obt. servant,F. WENTWORTH, Captain, RNHMS Laconia, Plymouth

Letter #2 - Miss Elliot to Capt. WentworthDear Captain Wentworth,Allow me to send you joy for your promotion and new command. I would be honored to have you call upon my family at Kellynch. I await you with every regard.Yours, etc.A. ELLIOT

Letter #3 - Capt. Wentworth to Capt. HarvilleCaptain Timothy HarvilleLymeHarville,I must beg your congratulations again, shipmate, for I am to be married! And to whom, may you ask? To the most wonderful woman in all the world! I know you think you know her, and Mrs. Harville is an excellent lady, I grant you, but none can fill that post in my eyes if her initials are not A.E.!It is you I must thank for this happy event. You counseled me to put aside my pride and carefully consider Miss Elliot's words when she broke our engagement. I finally did as you bade, and I was humbled. What a fool I was! How could a penniless commander dare to demand the hand of a baronet's daughter? I deserved to be turned out of the house. I should never have attempted to engage Miss Elliot's affections until I could properly support a wife.But now, thanks to the French, I am a Post-Captain with a few thousand pounds to my name. Now I can dare to set my eyes so high, and I have been rewarded. I wrote to Miss Elliot as you suggested, called upon her at Kellynch, and wonder of wonders, Anne -- dear, sweet Anne -- has remained true. Our engagement is renewed, and Sir Water has given his consent. I am in Somerset still, at my brother's in Monkford, giddy at my good fortune.Say you will stand with me on the appointed day. I cannot marry without you and Mrs. Harville in attendance.Your obt. servant,WENTWORTH

Letter # 4 - Miss Elliot to Lady RussellLady RussellRivers Street, BathMy dear Godmother,I am grieved that you are troubled at the news of my engagement to Captain Wentworth. I would not distress you for all the world, if my happiness was not at stake.Because I have now accepted Captain Wentworth, it does not follow that I am resentful of your advice two years ago. In 1806, I was nineteen and in love with a newly-made naval commander with nothing to recommend him, save his character and determination. He had no money, he had nothing to support a wife -- all this you said, and it was true. I allowed myself to be persuaded to be prudent and released him. It was the correct thing to do, and I cannot fault you for it. But in my heart, I did not give him up. I never could, you see, and resolved never to marry.Matters are very different now. You would be very surprised how much Frederick and I talked of these matters -- surprised and proud, I hope. He has been made Post and has earned several thousand pounds in prize money, all invested in the Naval Five Percents. He has every expectation of continuing his success in his career and being able to supplement his pay and the interest from my dowry and his prize money. Before you protest, I know my father cannot release the entirety of my portion of the ten thousand set aside from my mother. Frederick and I have spoken of this. With economy, I should be very comfortable. You may laugh, but my needs are very modest, even though I am a baronet's daughter.I frown at the words above. They sound so mercenary. But such matters must be considered. That is the difference, I believe, between nineteen and twenty-one.Allow me to let free my feelings. I love Frederick with all my heart and have done so constantly these two years. He had assured me of his affections and devotion, and this is proved by our parting and the passing of time, at the end of which his feelings were as strong as ever. He admits he was wounded and angry when I released him. I truly broke his heart, he says. He was bitter. Yet, his better particulars triumphed. He thought and considered, and at the end, he was humbled and repentant. Only love remains, he assures me, and I am perfectly satisfied. And I have assured him that never shall I be persuaded again, unless it be by my character or his.Please return home soon. There is much I wish to share with you. My happiness shall not be complete without your attendance.Your loving goddaughter,ANNE

Letter #5 - Capt. Wentworth to Mrs. CroftMrs. Sophia CroftGibraltarMy dear Sophie,By the time you receive this letter, I shall be married to Miss Anne Elliot of Kellynch Hall. I would imagine that this news surprises you, for you have said that I would never find a woman worth marrying. I have, dear Sophie, for she reminds me much of you. She is strong and sweet and beautiful, and I know I do not deserve her. I am the luckiest man in the fleet.We marry quickly, for my new command, the thirty-six-gunLaconia, is set for a cruise of the Western Islands soon, and we would rather have matters settled first. You may laugh, dear sister, but remember your own wedding to Captain Croft!My interview with Sir Walter Elliot, Anne's father, was a true comedy. In my Number One uniform and best hat, I called on him to ask for his daughter's hand. He did not know me, even though we had met in the Year Six, when I was visiting with Edward. The walls of his study were covered, not in books, but with mirrors. One cannot get away from one's self! It is my opinion that Sir Walter is a very vain man and foolish, too.His reaction to my request was - and I quote -- "You want to marry Anne? Whatever for?" It appears the man has little regard for her. He asked many question about my background and connections and looked very disappointed, until I mentioned Sir Edward Pellew. That seemed to impress the fellow -- even he had heard of the rear-admiral. He was satisfied with my income and granted his permission with a curious remark. Again I quote -- "I suppose you are fine enough for Anne. Not too weather-beaten for a sailor, I see. Do you use Gowland's, sir? I quite recommend it."I must admit I am quiet perplexed as I consider all of Anne's relations. Her youngest sister, Miss Mary, is a jolly and pretty thing and is on good terms with Anne, but is the most self-centered creature. She is always thinking herself ill, I believe, to call attention to herself. The eldest Miss Elliot, Miss Elizabeth, is something else entirely. Beautiful, I must say, but I prefer the warmth of Anne. Anne is like a summer's day, when a man is happy to be alive. Miss Elizabeth is as lovely as a diamond and as cold. She thinks of nothing but herself and is dismissive of Anne. There is too much of the father in her.Anne's great friend is her neighbor and godmother, Lady Russell. I cannot think very well of her, as she does not look favorably on the match. There is more I can say, but I shall not. However, I must forgive the woman, for she has offered to take Anne in her home while I am gone. It is very generous, but I hesitated and would not give way until she agreed that we shall share in the expense. I cannot say whether she respects me more for this or is offended at my determination. Perhaps a bit of both.I should not paint too black a picture. There are good people in the neighborhood. The Musgroves own the Great House at Uppercross and are very kind. They have a son in the navy, a midshipman. The heir, Charles Musgrove, is as fine a fellow as Harville, and his sisters are very attached to Anne. It is well that Anne should have some friends nearby, as Edward is to leave Monkford for another, better living by the end of the year.I am happy to have theLaconia, but I shall miss Anne. Again I hear you laugh. Should I bring my wife aboard, as Captain Croft has done? We shall see after this short cruise.I shall write more soon. All the best to Croft, and all my love to you.Your affectionate brother,FREDERICK

Letter # 6 - Mrs. Wentworth to Capt. WentworthCaptain Frederick WentworthHMS Laconia, PlymouthMy dear husband,What joy it is to write such words to you! By reading this you know I have secreted this note in your sea-chest, along with a silhouette portrait. I hope it gives you comfort in the weeks to come.My dearest love, words cannot describe how wonderful the last few weeks have been. Thank you for allowing me to go to Plymouth to be with you as you completed the fitting out of your dearLaconia. I know, as all navy wives know, I have a rival for your heart, but I will not share you with her until the last instant!But, no, I shall not be missish. You must do your duty, and I must do mine. Worry not, my dear. Lady Russell and I shall make merry in Somerset until your most anticipated return. I shall sign this, the first of many letters to you, with my full name, as it is my delight.All my love,ANNE WENTWORTH

A Misstep On The CobbPosted on Friday, 4 March 2005There 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... Persuasion, Volume I, Chapter XIIHow many times since that day have I regretted that agreement? How many times have I wished that I had declared that the wind was not unpleasant at all, rather it was invigorating and refused to go down the stairs?Headmired my firmness then--would he have sided with me? Would we have all stayed on the upper Cobb, away from any treacherous staircases?How is it possible for such an insignificant decision to irreparably alter one's life?We knew not what would happen, so it was agreed upon. They began to descend one by one, the stairs being too steep and narrow to permit more comfortably. I stayed at the back of the group, thinking that if I were the last to descend I could have Captain Wentworth jump me down. I did so love the free feeling of it! I gave a happy little hop and hummed to myself at the thought of it, and anticipation soon gave way to impatience. Finally, Anne was the only person left before me and I could barely restrain myself from tapping my toe as she oh, so carefully began her descent. Surely there was no need for such caution! Perhapssheshould jump down if she was so concerned; Captain Benwick was forever near her and could probably be prevailed upon to catch her. I had just begun to giggle at the thought of contained, self-controlled Anne jumping down the stairs when suddenly shewasjumping; no, she was falling, turned sideways, her arms outstretched and her hands grabbing at the wall then sliding away when there were no handholds. The sound when she landed was terrible in the silence, and she lay as though dead.The silence could not last, of course, since even such a horror cannot freeze people for more than a second, but the sound that broke it was most unexpected. "Anne!" was wrenched from the throat of Captain Wentworth,myCaptain Wentworth, as he threw himself down next to her and gathered her roughly to his chest. "Dear God! Anne!"There was immediately a flutter of noise and motion down below, as Mary screamed that Anne was dead and Henrietta fainted, as Charles struggled to deal with them and sent Captain Benwick for a surgeon, but I stood at the top of the stairs silent and unmoving, hearing none of the commotion, but only "Anne!"The Harvilles, having seen a horrified Captain Benwick run past, came and brought us back to their house. I followed numbly behind, listening as Captain Wentworth refused to allow anyone to help him with his burden in a voice that was almost unrecognizable. Even after we arrived at the house he would not lay her down. Only the arrival of the doctor forced him to do so.The doctor would not allow Mary and Henrietta to stay in the room during his examination, since he said he could not think while there was such a racket. He also sent out any men who were not family. He asked Captain Wentworth if he was Anne's husband or betrothed. The answer came reluctantly and quietly."No. We are no longer engaged." Then he left the room.No longer engaged!For the first time since I heard him call Anne's name I began to feel. Unfortunately, what I felt was an overwhelming desire to be sick, but it quickly turned into anger, a huge knot of anger burning inside my chest. He had betrayed me! He was at this very moment making a fool of me! Even when the doctor said that he thought Anne would recover, all I felt was anger. I am ashamed to say that for an instant I was sorry that she wasn't going to die, not because I wished her ill, but because I knew now that it would hurthim. I wanted him to hurt. When Henrietta flung herself into my arms in a flood of relieved tears, outwardly I did all that was proper, but inwardly I was irritated that she was interfering with my focus on my anger. It was all that I wanted to care about.Some small portion of my feelings must have been apparent because gradually curious glances gave way to concerned ones and questions gave way to blessed silence. Mrs. Harville pressed a cup of tea into my hand, urged me to sit, then hustled everyone away to discuss again the plans that had been made for Anne's care. I sat for a long time, cooling tea in my hand, nurturing the anger I felt. It was odd, I thought, that anger cannot sustain itself on its own, but like a fire must be fed and carefully stoked. I indulged myself in this worthy occupation until exhaustion overcame me and I slept.When I awoke, the house was dark and still. Someone had removed the teacup from my hand, the shoes from my feet and covered me with a blanket. I felt stiff and sore all over, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Why did I feel like this? Then I remembered-hehad betrayed me,hehad made a fool of me. I was angry, I had to stay angry, or...what? I didn't know. All I knew was that angry was easier, and it was what he deserved.While I sat there I heard a strange noise, almost like a choke, from the direction of the room Anne was in. Distracted from my anger stoking, I listened and after a few moments it came again. No one seemed to be stirring in the house. I was sure that Anne had someone with her, but what if there was a problem? I must confess that as I moved quietly towards her room I felt more irritation at being disturbed than any genuine concern.Though the house was dark, the moon cast its light through a small high window at the end of the hall. I could see that there was something on the floor next to her door. I stopped in my tracks. No, not something--someone. It was Captain Wentworth.He was sitting with his back against the wall, his knees pulled up to his chest. His arms were around his knees and his head pillowed on them. As I stood there and stared at him he made the strange sound again and I realized that he was crying.My first feeling was disgust. I had thought he was strong, almost super-human, and now look at him sitting on the floor in the middle of the night, crying. My next feeling was a shaft of pity, but I squashed that as quickly as I could, turned around and crept silently back to my chair. Pity was not conducive to anger and I could not allow it.The next morning Captain Wentworth still sat vigil outside Anne's door. When Mrs. Harville came out and saw him, then looked at me with mingled pity and sympathy I discovered that pity was conducive to anger when it was directed at myself. How dare he act in ways that make people pity me! No one ever pitied me beforehecame around! I added this to the pile of injustices I was fueling my anger with.Mrs. Harville had a hushed conversation with her husband after breakfast and I pretended not to notice when they both looked at me. Captain Harville went and prodded Captain Wentworth up from his spot on the floor and over his protests dragged him out for a walk. When Captain Harville's eyes met mine on his way out the door, I knew they were going to talk about me.At this point I wanted nothing more than to return to the inn and escape from the inconsequential conversation and sympathetic looks. To my dismay, no sooner had I broached the subject than Charles, Mary and Henrietta walked into the room. None of them wanted to leave immediately and I could not return on my own, even though there was nothing I wanted more than to be alone. I was trapped. It is a sad fact that being among well-meaning people is sometimes worse than being among indifferent ones.Captain Harville returned by himself, looking in pain from more than his injury. Charles inquired after Captain Wentworth and was told that he needed to think and was sitting by the sea. I was irrationally jealous thathe, the villain, got to be alone and think, while I was hemmed in on all sides. Everyone seemed to think that my spirits required cheerful conversation and indulged in it until I was ready to scream. Even Captain Benwick exerted himself to speak to me, something he had barely done before. I actually welcomed his somewhat melancholy comments; if I couldn't have silence I preferred the gloomy over the cheerful. I had anger to stoke, after all.At long last, Charles said that he would walk Mary and I back to the inn to rest a while. Henrietta wanted to sit longer with Anne. I put on my hat in undignified haste and was waiting impatiently by the door before Charles had barely begun his farewells. Come on, come on, I thought impatiently. You'll see them again in a short while! Finally, he was done and we set off. I was thinking how glad I was that Mary was returning with me instead of Henrietta since I would be able to be alone in the room, when suddenly I saw Captain Wentworth slowly walking towards us. For a second I stopped, then all the anger I had been feeding exploded inside me and I stormed towards him. He stood still and watched me come. Charles called my name, but I ignored him. I didn't stop until I was right in front of him, then I poked him in the chest with my finger and said, "I need to talk to you." I was so angry I was shaking.He just looked at me for a second, his face unutterably weary, then said, "Yes." He waved Charles off, saying, "Shall we walk?"Out of habit he offered his arm, but I would not take it, clasping my hands tightly together in front of me to stop their shaking. We had gone about ten yards when he said, "Well?"That was all it took. I proceeded to make a spectacle out of the both of us, for though I started my litany of complaints in a quiet voice, by the time I reached the end I had stopped walking and was yelling, my anger uncontrollable. He just stood there and watched me and when I finished was silent. "Well?" I demanded.He closed his eyes for a moment, then began haltingly, "I have become aware that I may have raised certain...expectations...indeed that some of our acquaintances thought..." He trailed off, unable to finish.I looked at him. His face was lined with exhaustion and sorrow, but his eyes were resolute. I knew then that if I wanted it, he would marry me. He had been foolish beyond permission, but he was an honorable man. The question was, did I want to marry him now? Though much of my anger was spent, there still was an ember of it burning inside me that wanted him to suffer. His having to betroth himself to me while Anne was lying unconscious, his having to marry me would be the perfect revenge. There was still one thing I wanted to know, though, and it came out in a painful whisper. "Why did you pretend that you barely knew her?"He gave a short laugh. "That's something I have been asking myself quite recently. At first it was just easier and I told myself that I felt nothing for her, but in retrospect I think I acted the way I did because I was trying toprovethat I felt nothing, not because I actually did. And I was angry. Angry that she broke off our engagement. Angry that she wasn't the woman I thought she was, then angry when it looked like she was. Angry when she seemed so uncomfortable around me, then angry when she appeared to be indifferent. Angry that I couldn't stop being aware of her." He stopped and sighed, then continued quietly, "I wasted a great deal of time doing stupid things because I was guided by my anger instead of by my own common sense and the most frightening thing of all is that I didn't even realize it. I had carried around anger for so long, for the eight years since she ended our engagement, that I became accustomed to it. I thought I had forgotten her and that anger and any other feeling for her were gone, but I was wrong." He looked directly at me. "I am sorry."I flinched at that, but pressed him further. "Does she still love you?"He looked away and was silent for so long I thought he was refusing to answer. Then he admitted, "I don't know."I cannot remember walking back to the house, although I must have done, for the next thing I remember is insisting to Henrietta that I needed to sit with Anne, that no, I did not need anyone to be with me, just to be with Anne and to think.I sat there, staring at Anne lying there so still and composed, trying to remember if I had ever seen her being anything other than composed. Surely if she felt anything forhimI would have known. Wouldn't I?And what did it matter, really? I had made up my mind from the beginning that I would have Captain Wentworth, and once I have made up my mind, I have made it. I am not so easily persuaded. I remembered saying that once tohim, it seemed so long ago now, and for the first time wondered if such obstinacy was really an admirable trait.Charles entered the room and quietly pulled a chair up next to me. "How are you, Louisa?""Confused. And angry."He nodded and placed his hand on my shoulder. I was surprised how comforted I felt by him and reached my hand up to hold his. We sat in silence for a moment, both watching Anne."She looks so peaceful. You would never know, to look at her, that..." He broke off, then said abruptly, "I have spoken to Captain Wentworth."I started, I could not help it. I suppose I should have known that this was coming, but I was taken completely unawares. He held more tightly to my hand."He will marry you if you wish." He turned his head to look at me. "Do you?""I don't know," I said simply.He nodded and turned back to his contemplation of Anne. After a moment I asked, "Charles, do you know anything of Anne's feelings? I asked Cap...himbut he said he did not know. Does she care for him?""I don't know anything for certain. I do know that when I...when she refused my offer of marriage, she said that she cared too deeply for another, that she could not in good conscience marry anyone else. But I, I didn't believe her, especially as time went by with no appearance of this person. I thought she said it merely to comfort me." He sighed somewhat wearily and rubbed the back of his neck. "Now I wonder if Captain Wentworth was whom she was speaking of. The timing certainly seems to be correct." He sat for a moment more in thought then roused himself visibly. "Well! You should come have something to eat. You have missed luncheon. Or perhaps you would like to go back to the inn now?"I thought for a moment and was surprised to find that I wanted to stay. "No, Charles, thank you. I would like to stay here." He looked ready to protest, but I squeezed his hand and released it. "Perhaps you could have someone bring me something to drink. I find that I am thirsty.""Of course, of course!" He stood and returned his chair to whence it came, then hovered over me for a moment. He stooped suddenly and kissed my head. "You will make the right decision."As he left I felt tears sting my eyes. Dear Charles. But the right decision for whom?

ConclusionPosted on Saturday, 5 March 2005A generous tray was brought for me, with tea, buttered toast and biscuits. The wonderful smell of the toast made me realize how hungry I was and I made steady inroads into the food as I considered my situation. How could I have been so blind? Knowing that I was not alone in my blindness was little comfort.I looked at Anne and realized how very little I knew of any of her thoughts or feelings. We all cared about her certainly, but we never tried to find out what went on under her calm surface. I suppose we thought that nothing did, that she was content to be aunt to her sister's sons and a helpful friend, entering into everyone else's concerns, but never voicing any of her own. I never once wondered if there was more to her than met the eye.But if she cared forhim, I stubbornly thought, then how could she have acted the way she did? She must not love him. I then forced myself to think back over the beginning of our acquaintance with him and remembered how coldly polite he had been to her and how she had never seemed quite herself around him. The part of me that was not consumed with anger asked reasonably--what could she have done other than what she did? What could she do besides accept his rejection of her and behave with composure and dignity? CouldAnnehave acted in any other way?I was beginning to feel things other than anger, and I did not like it. Anger could be exhausting but it was a much more comfortable feeling than the jumble of emotions I was now experiencing. I did not want to feel sympathy and compassion for Anne and certainly not forhim. Not being angry allowed me to feel how hurt I was that he did not love me. And how stupid I felt for believing he did. And the sick, empty feeling I got when I realized that I never even knew him, not really.I was sitting there feeling worse and worse, when suddenly Anne moved, and opened her eyes and looked at me with surprise. "Louisa? What...where...?"I told her where she was, that she had fallen and had been asleep for more than a full day. I asked her how she felt and she answered that her head hurt abominably and she was thirsty, but other than that she was well. This answer was so typically Anne that I couldn't help but smile. Mary would have behaved as though every bone in her body was broken and she was on the brink of death.She seemed alert and her eyes were clear, so I helped her to some of my tea and told her that the doctor had seen her twice and was optimistic about her recovery, but that of course we had had all been worried about her. In some bitterness I blurted out, "Captain Wentworth most of all, I believe."She looked totally bewildered and whispered, "What?"I couldn't help myself, I had been so long in the habit of telling her whatever was on my mind, I told her everything that he had said and done right after she fell and that he had sat by her door all night. A succession of emotions swept across her face, disbelief followed by hope, then a deep joy that was almost painful to look upon. It turned quickly to sadness as she looked at me. She said quietly, "Oh Louisa."I knew then that she could see all that I had been feeling and I couldn't bear to be in the same room with her. I stood up. "I'll go fetch him for you, shall I?"A flash of longing went across her face, but she looked me squarely in the eye and asked, "Is that what you want to do, Louisa?"I felt a familiar burst of unreasoning anger--why did I have to be the one to decide? Why couldn't anyone else decide anything? Why did they both have to be so blasted honorable? I closed my eyes for a moment, thought over everything that had happened and been said, over all that I felt, and then I knew what I had to do.I found all the men together, the three Captains and Charles, discussing sport or some other inconsequential manly thing. They all stood up as I entered and I walked up tohim, stared somewhat blindly at his chest and said, "Anne has awoken. You should go to her."No one moved.In some irritation, I looked up at him and repeated, "You should go to her."His face showing gratitude and a dawning of the same painful joy I saw on Anne's, he grabbed my hand and kissed it. "Thank you," he breathed.Then he was gone.I stood there numbly for a moment, then said quietly, "Charles, I would like to go home now."His hand gently squeezed my shoulder. "Of course," was all that he said.

Several months have passed since those two terrible days. Anne mended rapidly, and she and her Captain were married soon after she recovered. I was happy for her, but found I could not be for him. Not yet. Henrietta sat with me the morning of their wedding, chattering lightly of unimportant things, but as she did not expect many replies I could bear it with equanimity; indeed, I was grateful for the distraction of her presence. And now we plan her wedding, which is rapidly approaching.Mamma and Papa were very angry when they heard of Anne's engagement, but Charles soon persuaded them to stop questioning me and I think helped them to understand a little better what had happened. They do not seem angry any longer, but now they approach me with worried eyes and falsely cheerful manners, which for my peace of mind is nearly as bad. I fear that in their minds I have been cast into the role of a tragic heroine.Charles has been a great comfort. I find I still require a great deal of quiet for introspection and he has helped to provide it. He told me soon after my return home that he was proud of me. At the time, I was still angry and feeling like a victim and I thought I deserved his praise. I know now that I did not.When I made my decision, I was not thinking of what was best for anyone else. I was still too angry and hurt to do so. I was thinking of what was best for me. I actually stood there in front of Anne and contemplated marrying him, not because I could not bear the thought of living without him, no, rather out of a desire to revenge myself upon him and also because I had decided before any of this ever happened that I would marry him. But then I thought of what marriage to him would be like if it was made under those circumstances, both of us knowing that I had willfully separated him from Anne, and I knew it would destroy me. Either I would bury myself in my anger and I would eventually hate him or I would come to love him knowing that he loved someone else. Either one was not what I wanted for my life. I did not consider what he or Anne wanted. My decision was the right one by sheer chance. It was not selfless. It was selfish.I am ashamed.I think often of Anne and her behavior after his obvious rejection of her; she did not fume or shout, thinking only about herself. Yes, our situations were different, but I wish that I had acted more like her. I should now have less to reproach myself with.My behavior during those two days, nay, over the whole of our acquaintance, seems even more reprehensible now that I have come to realize that I did not even love him. Oh, I did have strong feelings for him, but they all centered onwhathe was, notwhohe was. I did not know enough of who he was to love him. I know now that he is an honorable man, but I didn't even know that when I fancied myself in love with him. All I knew was that he was dashing and exotic, and I determined to have him.I have now made a new decision, and I hope that my reasons for this one are more selfless than for my last. I am going to forgive Frederick Wentworth.Yes, he was thoughtless and self-absorbed, but so was I. Yes, he was angry, but so was I. Oh my, so was I. I have come to realize that I cannot forgive myself unless I forgive him, and I will never be able to let go of that last bit of anger festering away inside me unless I do. I have not been able to forget what he said about his anger, that it had become so much a part of him that he did not even realize that it was there, that it guided his actions without his being aware of it. I do not wish for such a fate, for I shudder to think of what it might lead me to do and whom I might hurt.I have determined to start afresh. I am resolved that henceforth Louisa Musgrove will be a more thoughtful, self-controlled and caring person. And I pray that one day, when I see Anne and her Captain again, I will be able to greet them both with joy.

Com a migrao cada vez maior dos jogadores para plataformas mveis, como tablets e celulares, o inegvel sucesso dosjogosfree to play jogos nos quais os jogadores tm acesso a boa parte do contedo de graa, mas precisa realizar microtransaes dentro do jogo para desbloquear contedo adicional (o que pode ser frustrante) fez com que Madeline Messer, uma menina de 12 anos, percebesse uma tendncia mais do que problemtica em games.

F do jogo Temple Run, cujo pblico composto 60% pelo gnero feminino, Maddiediz, em seu artigo para oWashington Post, que elas e suas amigas costumam passar noites jogando lado-a-lado, e que um dia notou que sua amiga estava jogando com um personagem masculino e no havia a opo de mudar isso.Depois disso, comecei a prestar ateno em outros aplicativos que minhas amigas e eu estvamos jogando. Eu vi que muitos deles tinham personagens masculinos e se as personagens femininas existissem, voc precisaria pagar por elas. Com o apoio dos pais, ela comeou a pesquisar e anotar suas impresses sobreos top 50 jogosendless runner(jogos comoSubway SurferseTemple Run).O resultado est no ttulo de seu artigo: Sou uma menina de 12 anos. Por que os personagens nos meus apps no se parecem comigo? De fato, Maddie percebeu que de 82% dos jogos que tinham personagens com gnero identificvel (os outros 18% tinham gatos, macacos ou batatas), 98% deles oferenciam personagens masculinos, o que seria perfeitamente aceitvel se fosse equivalente, porm s 46% (23 jogos) ofereciam personagens femininas, sendo que em s 15% deles, elas eram oferecidas sem custo.O preo mdio calculado por Maddie para desbloquear as personagens femininas de $7.53 dlares que, convenhamos, bem alto. O prprioTemple Run, cujo protagonista padro um homem branco chamadoGuy(homem, em ingls), tem uma vertente (Oz)na qual a protagonista feminina chega a custar $29.97! Ela continua: Essa desigualdade afeta meninas como eu. A falta de personagens femininas implica que meninas no so iguais aos meninos e elas no merecem personagens que se paream com elas. Eu sou uma menina, eu prefiro ser uma menina nesses jogos. Eu no quero pagar para ser uma menina.Aps a publicao de seu artigo, os argumentos de Maddieforam ouvidospelos desenvolvedores de jogos, inclusive doTemple Run,Natalia Luckyanova, que mulher. A explicao dada por eles foi que como a maioria dos jogadores composta por meninas, colocar um preo nas personagens femininas era a melhor forma de ganhar dinheiro. Mas Luckyanova disseque foi embaraoso ler aquilo:Apesar das nossas boas intenes, apesar das minhas boas intenes, a verdade que voc comea com um personagem masculino O homem branco sempre o padro, e qualquer outra coisa voc tem que se esforar para ser.Soa como uma metfora para a vida, no? Mas como jogos so mais fceis de serem mudados do que a sociedade,Temple Runir ganhar uma personagem feminina gratuita. Os desenvolvedores entraram em contato com Maddie para dizer que ela estava certa, e a Disney ir abaixar o preo da personagem feminina doTemple Run: Oz. E para coroar, o jogo ir ganhar uma nova personagem. Seu nome?Maddie.Compartilhe isso: