Near the end of Chapter 12, the writing progresses in a way that begins with the outright recognition of Anne thinking, “whether it ever occurred to him now.” She is wondering if Captain Wentworth recognized, “that, like all other qualities of the mind, [firmness of character] should have its proportions and limits.” Anne is rationalizing that a persuadable mind can have positive qualities, at times, and believes this to be a truth. Anne recognizes her own opinion as one of complete correctness and wonders only if he realizes this truth (and resolutely, the positive qualities which a character such as her own might have.) The certainty with which Anne’s opinions are stated puts the narrator in a position with insight to her mind alone.
The following paragraph exits the omniscient insight to Anne’s thoughts and displays free indirect discourse. The narrator is removed in stating, “their actual speed, heightened by some dread of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long.” The journey appears shortened only to Anne, overwhelmed her own anxious reflections. Although the statement only applies to Anne, the narrator indirectly states the observation and gives the reader a distance from her. The effect is that of a slipping mind, Anne is losing strength as a character and this displayed by the narrator’s use of free indirect discourse. “Some dread of the conclusion,” is inferred by the reader to be in relation to Anne’s dread of the conclusion that Captain Wentworth has come to of the importance of a resolute mind. This signifies a shift in Anne’s conviction that it “could scarcely escape him to feel,” to a fear that Wentworth may not share her opinions.
The use of free indirect discourse in that paragraph could also be to create a vagueness that allows the reader to apply the “dread” to any of the characters present within the carriage. Wentworth and Henrietta would both be in a dreadful state of mind, overcome with the fear for Louisa’s condition. While Anne, who is concerned only with her own wellbeing, does not share the same fear, the feeling of dread is vaguely applicable to any of the three characters.
In the same paragraph, in another instance of free indirect discourse, it seems the narrator is channeling Anne’s feelings specifically. Austen writes, “Henrietta leaning back in the corner with a shawl over her face, giving the hope of her having cried herself to sleep,” which are feelings that the reader can infer come from Anne’s point of view. The action of “giving the hope,” specifically, gives the statement identity. The narrator would not personally hope for such a thing, it would be the feelings of a character in reflection to Henrietta’s previous behavior. Anne, being someone with distaste for dramatic displays of emotion, would be relieved with Henrietta’s slumbering.
Finally, with Wentworth’s parting from the carriage, Anne experiences pleasure when Wentworth tells her his plan that she should stay in the carriage while he goes and tells Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove of the incident ad then asks if she thinks it’s a good plan. Anne takes the simple request “as a proof of friendship, and of deference for her judgment, a great pleasure.” This occurrence is narrated with a focus on Anne but without the outright recognition of such. Wentworth seems to be simply requesting of Anne that she stay while he goes, but in a polite manner. He asks as a formality, knowing quite well that it is a good plan and that Anne will agree, as she does to almost every task asked of her. Anne is overcome with the fantasy that Wentworth’s words mean much more than they really do and the narrator leads the reader into her perspective, giving limited insight to Wentworth’s actual feelings. Austen does causing the reader to be just as confused as Anne, feeding the illusion that Wentworth is feeling any differently towards Anne. If read closely, you will notice that he addresses her with a “low, cautious voice,” signifying that he is still quite uncomfortable and angry with Anne. He parts with few words and displays no actual “deference for her judgment.” The use of free indirect discourse creates a false hope within the reader, which also exists in Anne’s heart.
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