English language translation theory department

Explanation of title
The title reflects the major theme in the novel of persuasion, which has two facets. Firstly it refers to the act of persuasion as it is enforced on others; the heroine, ⁵Anne Elliot, yields to her family and Lady Russell's persuasion to refuse Wentworth's offer of marriage, to her later regret, and many more characters throughout the novel seek to persuade others or are persuaded by them. Secondly, the title refers to a state of mind held by the characters; for example, Sir Walter is of the persuasion that looks and 'old' money define a man. (The title of the novel was not chosen by Austen, but rather by her older sister Cassandra; some critics believe Austen intended to name it "The Elliots", but she died before titling it.) It also refers to the notion that people's looks improve as we find we like them better. Finally Captain Wentworth is persuaded that he can find no better woman than Anne Elliot, after being determined not to marry her. Initially he thought that determination was the most important thing a woman can possess until he realises that determination can be being head-strong.
In a letter to her niece Fanny Knight in March 1817, Austen wrote that she had a novel "which may appear about a twelvemonth hence." John Murray published Persuasion together with Northanger Abbey in a four-volume set, printed in December 1817 but dated 1818. The first advertisement appeared on 17 December 1817. The Austen family retained copyright of the 1,750 copies, which sold rapidly. The later editions of both were published separately.
The book's title is not Jane Austen's but her brother Henry's, who named it after her early death. There is no known source that documents what Austen intended to call her novel. Whatever her intentions might have been, Austen spoke of the novel as The Elliots, according to family tradition, and some critics believe that is probably the title she planned for it.
Henry Austen supplied a "Biographical Notice" of his sister in which her identity was revealed; she was no longer an anonymous author.