# Mr. Elliot — Persuasion character guide

> Mr. Elliot in Persuasion by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Elliot, the Elliot

**First appearance:** 0013-xiv

## Snapshot

Sir Walter's polished heir, all correct opinions and warm professions, whose attentions to Anne seem too well-timed to be entirely artless.

## Who they are

As the presumptive heir to Kellynch, Mr. Elliot arrives in Bath eager to reconcile with the family he once slighted, and Lady Russell finds him everything a sensible woman could wish. Anne, though, notices his value for rank and connection runs deeper than her own, and his charm sits uneasily beside the crape on his hat. His courtship — real or rumored — forces Anne to weigh present agreeableness against what she knows of character.

## Relationships

### [Anne Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/anne_elliot)

_psychological_

Mr. Elliot manipulates Anne with flattery and attention, hiding his mercenary motives and past misdeeds.

### [Mrs. Croft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mrs_croft)

_social_

Polite but superficial acquaintance, as Mr. Elliot maintains a charming facade while Mrs. Croft remains observant.

### [Sir Walter Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/sir_walter_elliot)

_family_

Cousins with a manipulative dynamic, as Mr. Elliot flatters Sir Walter to secure his inheritance and social standing.

### [Mary Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mary_musgrove)

_social_

Mary is flattered by Mr. Elliot's attention, but the relationship is shallow and based on vanity.

### [Anne Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/anne_elliot)

_psychological_

Mr. Elliot manipulates Anne with flattery and attention, hiding his mercenary motives and past misdeeds.

### [Mrs. Croft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mrs_croft)

_social_

Polite but superficial acquaintance, as Mr. Elliot maintains a charming facade while Mrs. Croft remains observant.

### [Mary Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mary_musgrove)

_social_

Mary is flattered by Mr. Elliot's attention, but the relationship is shallow and based on vanity.

### [Anne Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/anne_elliot)

_psychological_

Mr. Elliot manipulates Anne with flattery and attention, hiding his mercenary motives and past misdeeds.

### [Mary Musgrove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mary_musgrove)

_social_

Mary is flattered by Mr. Elliot's attention, but the relationship is shallow and based on vanity.

### [Sir Walter Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/sir_walter_elliot)

_family_

Cousins with a manipulative dynamic, as Mr. Elliot flatters Sir Walter to secure his inheritance and social standing.

### [Sir Walter Elliot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/sir_walter_elliot)

_family_

Cousins with a manipulative dynamic, as Mr. Elliot flatters Sir Walter to secure his inheritance and social standing.

### [Mrs. Croft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mrs_croft)

_social_

Polite but superficial acquaintance, as Mr. Elliot maintains a charming facade while Mrs. Croft remains observant.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/i)

The heir presumptive who disappointed Elizabeth by marrying a rich woman of inferior birth and speaking contemptuously of the family.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xii)

Mr. Elliot is the mysterious gentleman who admires Anne at Lyme. He is revealed to be Sir Walter's heir, traveling to Bath.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xv)

Has been in Bath a fortnight, actively seeking reconciliation with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. He is charming, sensible, and pays particular attention to Anne, showing surprise and pleasure at meeting her.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xvi)

Mr. Elliot is warmly received by Lady Russell and engages in a philosophical discussion with Anne about good company, valuing rank and connection.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xvii)

Discussed by Anne; she finds him too generally agreeable and suspects his past, though Lady Russell sees him as ideal.

### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xix)

Attentive and solicitous toward Anne; escorts her home and is the subject of speculation by others.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xx)

Maneuvers to sit beside Anne at the concert, flatters her, and interrupts her conversation with Captain Wentworth, provoking jealousy.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xxi)

Revealed to be disingenuous, artificial, and selfish; his past cruelty and neglect of the Smiths are exposed.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xxii)

Revealed as insincere and cruel through Mrs. Smith's account; observed in a secret conference with Mrs. Clay.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xxiv)

Mr. Elliot is discomfited by Anne's engagement, quits Bath, and takes Mrs. Clay under his protection in London, revealing his double game.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/mr_elliot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters