Persuasion: Norton Critical Edition

The Norton Critical Edition text being used here is that of the first edition (dated 1818 but likely released in late 1817), which was published posthumously. The editor has taken the time to spell out ampersands and lowercase superscript letters. The annotated novel is then followed by the two canceled chapters that make up the original ending of Persuasion.

"Backgrounds and Contexts" section includes contemporary assessments of Jane Austen, along with material related to social issues of the time. This section features an excerpt from William Hayley's 1785 "Essay on Old Maids," Austen's letters to Fanny Knight highlighting her skepticism about marriage and its connection to happiness, Henry Austen's tribute to his renowned sister, evaluations from nineteenth-century critics Julia Kavanagh and Goldwin Smith portraying Austen as a modest, sheltered, "feminine," rural writer, and the perspective of Austen's biographer Geraldine Edith Mitten.

"Modern Critical Views" exemplify a significant shift in how twentieth-century scholars perceive both Austen and Persuasion. The focus now is more on Austen's moral intent and political insight, as well as the historical, social, and political implications of Persuasion. Various perspectives from scholars such as A. Walton Litz, Marilyn Butler, Tony Tanner, Robert Hopkins, Ann W. Astell, Claudia L. Johnson, and Cheryl Ann Weissman are included.

Additionally, a Selected Bibliography is provided to offer further resources for those interested in delving deeper into the world of Jane Austen and Persuasion.

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