Jane Austen’s latest movie adaptation, Persuasion, has been out on Netflix for a week now. The movie stars Dakota Johnson as Anne Eliot, who plays a pivotal role in the classic drama. It is presently the primary target of critics all over. Although the main protagonist has gone through a series of odious alterations, it still has some of the core Jane Austen elements that define and comment upon the 18th-century English gentry quite perfectly. It has catalysed pristine minds to view it with a brand new perspective. The sassiness and savagery of Anne and a bunch of fire pleasantries have proved it all. Here is one such legendary scene that you wouldn’t regret watching.

Anne Elliot being the savage Jane Austen protagonist

All the sisters except Anne, believe in social climbing and have been desperately wanting to get married and ‘settle’ as soon as possible. Prior to this, Mary Elliot, an inattentive mother and her younger sister, married to Charles, slightly taunts her with the news of Fredrick’s anticipated proposal to Louisa and her getting established with a suitable bachelor. She means that all her siblings now lead a blessed and successful life while Anne is still not engaged. She thus hints at her sister’s delay in doing the same while also being somewhat jealous of her unrestricted freedom.

Anne immediately questions her hackneyed, misinterpreted idea and asks, “why does everyone assume that all women want is to be chosen by any eligible bachelor?” To which Mary answers that apparently, marriage is the greatest blessing life can offer.

This left Anne baffled, and she gave perplexed eye rolls conveying that she was totally weirded out. She abruptly changes the topic and doesn’t try to talk to a wall anymore.

No doubt Dakota Johnson gave her best and nailed her part. Her British accent is commendable. Jane Austen’s heroines, like Anne Eliot, have always been the epitome of women empowerment and accreditation. It is through them that she mocks the male-dominated society with absolute modesty and helps reform the unbalanced community over the course of time.

What do you think of Persuasion? Let us know your thoughts on this one.