Not wishing to be talked about. (Austen's Persuasion)

ENGL 174

Under the same social codes, why does Anne choose to act more reservedly than other women?

While reading chapters eight and nine I wondered Why did Austen have this much of her novel puffed with all this talk of Frederick Wentworth, and of Charles Hayter and the Crofts and Louisa and Mary Musgrove? I reflected on their conversations and the conversations about them, and found it plain which character was not spoken of in those talks but was present to hear them: Anne. Further, Anne contributes to these conversations rarely, listens always; but this is not for lack of confidence in herself. She recognizes, by her fine mind and sharp observation, that in idle conversation she would be taken as the measure of all the qualities unattractive in a marriage partner. Though a solidity of character distinguishes Anne from other women, her private self and her public persona contradict each other; but she is averse to harmonizing them. She does not let the contradiction become a public issue. Anne is only too aware that involving herself in the interests and affairs of marrying, that is, acting like Louisa or Mary, would make her an item of gossip, subject to pretensions that would rate her suitability with the bachelors. Nevertheless it is just the bachelor Anne loves, Captain Wentworth, who has bragged most, who is talked most about, and who is most sought after.