Persuasion book club questions

The reading plan

Meeting 1: Chapters 1 to 9

1. How fair is Sir Walter's refusal to cut household spending when debt forces a change of home?
2. When Anne's wishes and Lady Russell's advice differ, what should matter most in deciding whose judgment to trust?
3. What does Sir Walter's attention to rank and appearances suggest about how he judges a suitable tenant?
4. How much weight should Anne give her troubled memories when reconsidering her broken engagement?
5. Where might you draw the line between helping Mary and allowing her complaints to determine Anne's duties?

Meeting 2: Chapters 10 to 18

6. What makes firmness worthy of praise, and what might make you question that praise during the country walk?
7. What responsibilities come with offering advice to someone grieving, as Anne does during the seaside visit?
8. How should Anne's leadership after Louisa's fall affect the way others judge her?
9. What might make the Crofts' comfort especially meaningful to Anne when she returns to Kellynch?
10. How much confidence would you place in Mr Elliot's attentiveness during Anne's otherwise gloomy arrival in Bath?

Meeting 3: Chapters 19 to 24

11. How fair is it to read Captain Wentworth's departure as jealousy over Mr Elliot's attentions?
12. How should Mrs Smith's revelations change the weight Anne gives Mr Elliot's earlier attentiveness?
13. What would help Anne balance her wish for warmth with the growing distrust surrounding her?
14. What can a private letter make possible that a debate about faithful love cannot?
15. How much should explanations of wounded pride matter when Anne and Wentworth renew their promises?

Themes to talk about

Tips for the host

1. Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
2. Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.