“And upon looking over his letters and things, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure that this must be the very man, and her head is quite full of it, and of poor Richard!” (Austen, 34) Richard Musgrove is a very, very minor character in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. However, his presence in the novel allows Austen to initially stake her claim on one of the novel’s overriding themes. Austen presents the idea …showed first 75 words of 1008 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1008 total…and self-fulfillment. If she had done nothing, she would have been lost to the aristocracy. Using this technique, Austen is showing the reader the benefits of being useful. By doing rather than watching, one brings worth to one’s existence. This, in turn, is the ultimate goal of any living being. The quest for self-worth and happiness does not begin easily but Austen has shown the reader a way she believes will lead to success.