And there is no evil antagonist

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And there is no evil antagonist Written by Chandra S (2/21/2013 11:18 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, Concur with everyone plus, penned by Chandra S

I was running through the characters in my head, and realized that there is no one in Persuasion that really qualifies as a "bad guy." No Willoughby, no Wickham, not even a Lucy Steele. Sir Walter is selfish, vain, and a spendthrift, Elizabeth is just plain selfish, Mrs. Clay is sucking up and trying to marry up - but the worst "bad" we get is Mr. Elliot.

He doesn't show up until the book is half through, and his main "badness" is offscreen and years earlier, influencing Smith to spend beyond his means and then refusing to do his due diligence as executor of the will. Within the novel, he ... plots to get back in his family's good graces so he can stop a marriage that might disinherit him and is a bad idea anyways, and then goes off with the woman to ensure the marriage does not happen. He doesn't try to seduce underage girls, or lie about the character of decent men, or really actively seek anyone's harm - he just does some slightly shady things to promote his own best interests.

I love the way that JA just describes normal human nature and makes it a readable story without the bad guy having to be malicious or vengeful or "muhuuhaahaa ha" evil.

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Is Persuasion your favorite? Why? Stacey GC (2/16/2013 10:32 a.m.)
- Because... Julie P. (2/21/2013 6:52 a.m.)
- In addition to everyone else's comments Carolyn P (2/20/2013 8:20 p.m.)
- Yes, because of the hope Tuija (2/20/2013 10:46 a.m.)
- One of my two JA faves TimLee (2/19/2013 2:28 p.m.)
- Concur with everyone plus   Chandra S (2/19/2013 12:46 p.m.)
  
  And there is no evil antagonist   Chandra S (2/21/2013 11:18 a.m.)
  
  The Villain in Persuasion   Kathy Lynn386 (4/2/2013 5:36 p.m.)
  
  Villain   bridget D (4/3/2013 1:28 a.m.)
  
  villain   Nikki N (4/3/2013 6:51 a.m.)
  
  William Walter   bridget D (3/12/2013 12:55 p.m.)
  
  Is morally wrong the same as evil?   Stacey GC (3/16/2013 12:51 p.m.)
  
  If that's your criterion for evil, then Mr Elliot   Graciela (3/17/2013 1:31 a.m.)
  
  Mr Elliot   Nikki N (3/17/2013 12:04 a.m.)
  
  Until they read Sense and Sensibility   Pete (5/21/2013 11:31 a.m.)
  
  William Walter   bridget D (3/17/2013 4:16 a.m.)
  
  The Mr Elliot plot   Roland (2/24/2013 11:51 a.m.)
  
  Although there is that bit about Mrs. Smith   TimLee (2/21/2013 3:02 p.m.)
- Among other reasons ...   Anne Butzen (2/18/2013 6:23 p.m.)
  
  How lovely :)nfm   Anushka (2/19/2013 2:29 a.m.)
  
  pretty, elegant   Nikki N (2/18/2013 10:22 p.m.)
  
  Anne & Frederick! Destined to be together...   Stacey GC (2/18/2013 8:50 p.m.)
  
  Loving persuasion   Lidiz (3/17/2013 10:32 p.m.)
  
  A coincidence of names   Anne Butzen (2/19/2013 9:08 a.m.)
- Second Stephanie (2/18/2013 11:42 a.m.)
- Its Perfect!   Anushka (2/17/2013 12:15 a.m.)
  
  Persuasion comes in fourth for me   Lauren Ashley (2/26/2013 7:47 p.m.)
  
  Not everyone is the life of the party.   Julie P. (3/9/2013 11:07 a.m.)
  
  interesting   Stephanie (3/11/2013 6:29 p.m.)
  
  Why Austenuations?   Stacey GC (3/16/2013 1:04 p.m.)
  
  What Nina RG said   Stephanie (3/22/2013 6:01 p.m.)
  
  Austenuation is for cross novel comparisons   Nina RG (3/16/2013 6:39 p.m.)

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