Spatial Metaphors in Persuasion

Spatial Metaphors in Persuasion

Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last novel, the literary reviews on Persuasion mainly focus on feminism, view of marriage, analysis of main characters, social class, but quite a few studies concentrate on the spatial metaphor in this novel. Metaphors contain clues to understanding the intentions of an author. (Asumang, 2008, p.68) It is necessary to explore the connotation of spatial sign. As the literary scholar and critic Marie-Laure Ryan declares that all narratives imply a world with spatial extension, even when spatial information is withheld. (2012) The space-images are relevant to the plot, as mapped by the actions and feelings of characters. To explore the metaphors of space, except understand on the basis of cultural knowledge and real world experience, we need to do lots of research to support the point of view. In Persuasion, we could find some classic spatial information and it will be mentioned in the following paragraphs. This paper will demonstrate three specific spaces in Jane Austen’s Persuasion and analyze the spatial metaphors of that. Theses spaces I mentioned could suggest character’s emotion and promote the development of the plot. Concrete spatial images can be divided into three types: “ window”, “road”, “house”; this essay will explain how these physical spaces evoke mental space in Persuasion.

Windows-space image is mapping the inner world of characters. Generally speaking, there is duplicity of windows. As David Carr said, windows connect and at he same time separate our spatial life world. (Carr, 2004,p.254) In persuasion, there is a classic paragraph in chapter nine, Captain Wentworth surprised to find himself almost alone with Anne Elliot deprived his manners of their usual composure, and walked to the window to recollect himself. He was standing at the window all the time when he stayed with Anne. However, when Charles Hayter went to the drawing-room, Captain Wentworth leave the window and wanted to make a conversation with Charles; but Charles soon put an end to his attempts by seating himself near the table, Captain Wentworth returned to his window again. According a series of these actions of Captain Wentworth, it could be inferred that window image is about escape. Captain Wentworth had no idea how to face the girl who refused him eight years ago, stay with Anne in the same place made he feel quite uncomfortable and embarrassed. Captain Wentworth can see the outside world through the window, standing near the window would help him kept away from Anne and he would feel safe. Through looking out of the window, the external world is once again connected. (Carr, 2004, 259) Due to the window, the relationship of inside and outside become ambiguous, people could reconnect the outside world any time at they will by looking toward the windows. Therefore, although Captain Wentworth could not leave the drawing-room, he could get in touch with outside and calm down by standing at the window.