Who's that man in the mirror

The novels, Persuasion and A Sentimental Journey, both display the theme, doubleness of intention. The main character of A Sentimental Journey, is a picaresque novel narrated in the first-person by the character, Yorick. Yorick is a rash philosopher from England traveling through France. The plot is driven by his actions, as he seems to do whatever he pleases. In this way the novels’ plot progressions differ completely. Persuasion’s plot is centered on the occurrences in Anne’s life. Anne’s personality is very passive in contrast to Yorick’s bold and opinionated demeanor. The narration style of A Sentimental Journey coincides with Yorick’s self-driven lifestyle as he, himself guides the reader through his own travels and thoughts; while, Anne exists as a passive character with no part in the redemption of her own story.

            Anne and Yorick share the desire to uphold their selves to a certain standard of goodness and morals. Yorick prizes his ability to love and to feel; he thinks as a philosopher who appreciates and sympathizes with the world from the bottom of his soul. Anne holds herself to strict standards of both social and mental aspects. Her standards disallow behaviors that may allude to the romantic behaviors or intentions of human nature. She often acts in ways that display doubleness: she prides herself in holding herself up to a higher standard of morality, that she does not act in a selfish or indiscrete way, but her actions tell otherwise. The reader gains understanding that in order to fulfill her own desires, and give herself any sort of happiness, she must ignore such standards. Even in times of self-indulgence, however, she maintains the mask of social superiority; such as in the passage where she sees Wentworth outside and desires to go see him, “she now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to see if it rained. Why was she to expect herself of another motive?” (Austen p.165). The free indirect discourse style is used here as a pretty blatant exposition of Anne’s ludicrous denial of her own intent. She, of course wants only to see him, but even in her own mind, cannot accept that. Yorick, displays the same doubleness of intent in his own actions towards members of the opposite sex. He, however, does not hold himself to the same high standards regarding women. He however, hides his sexual impulses behind a mask of love and only good regards towards women. Yorick views his ability to feel compassion for women as a personal strength and also, proof that he is not a machine without a soul. His ability to be “in love with one princess or another almost all his life,” (Sterne p. 28) is something that he values very much. He calls what he feels for the many pretty women he comes into contact with, “love” but it is something that can really only be classified as a simplistic lust.  

            Ann’s love tale is narrated in an indirect way and never fully acknowledges her intentions towards Wentworth, just as Yorick never really realizes the truth of his own intentions. The different styles are in different ways, addressing the human inclination to elude one’s self.