Karen Casey once said that "truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood." In Jane Austen's early nineteenth century novel, Persuasion, Austen depicts a simplistic story about love and anticipation. Persuasion is one of Austen's most romantic books, but it is also her last novel. Jane Austen was in her last few years because of an illness within her. While writing Persuasion, Austen attempts to show to the world her growth as a writer and as a person. She has matured and accepted her fate. Different emotions can cause positive or negative reactions and consequences. Love engenders maturity.
             Love is defined in many ways. Love may depict affection or forbearance towards a significant other. Tolerance bears loyalty. Charles Musgrove's abiding sentiment to Mary's self-pity exhibits devotion. Charles Musgrove devotes himself to his wife, Mary. Although he complains of her "occasional lowness...[and] unreasonableness" (Austen 44), he stays by her side through marriage. Anne contemplates that Charles should marry a "more equal match [that] might...greatly improve him." Charles criticizes Mary for her "interference" (45) when managing the children, but he continues to love and honor her presence as his wife. He admits to Anne that he wishes Mary would "not...always fancy herself ill"; however, despite their occasional disagreements, the two "pass for a happy couple" (44). Austen illustrates Charles' light-hearted nature and good spirits. He rarely appears distraught at his wife's self-afflictions because of his low self-confidence to contradict her. Mary consistently complains of a sick feeling within her body, though it is obvious that she yearns for attention from others around her. His sense of commitment through her self-indulgent pity displays how the two souls...