- Why does Anne not want people to know about her previous familiarity/experience with Fredrick? Why is she so concerned with keeping it a secret?
Well, Andy, I honestly did not really feel that was really covered much in the book. I am about 2/3 through the book and I don't think Anne is concerned about people knowing about the engagement. She is definitely nervous to meet Fredrick and tries to prolong seeing him as long as she can. When she does see him again, she is awkward and nervous around him. She cannot stop thinking about what he must feel about her and about how she can avoid him.
The only time I felt she was concerned with talking of the engagement was when she told Lady Russell about him, but even then, this is someone who already knew, and once she told her, she felt much more comfortable saying his name again.
Now, further in the book, she has still not mentioned the engagement to anyone. All her thoughts of his comments and compliments of her are safe in her own mind.
Fredrick seems to be acting the same way as well. He has not brought up their engagement at all, even between themselves. But we know he does care because of the many signals he's shown: being interested in Anne's declining Charles, admiring her when noticing that Mr. Elliot was admiring her, being in awe of her skills of taking care of Louisa, and more.
I agree with you that the whole situation is awkward. Anne and Fredrick, in my opinion, are both wondering what the other must be thinking as they are both constantly thrown together in social events. However, I do feel that Anne does not want others knowing of her relationship with Fredrick. I believe that she is afraid that if people began to know that the two of them had a past, then questions would be asked and maybe suppressed emotion brought up. I mean, no one wants to relive the pain of a “broken heart” and become the new gossip topic. Anne’s extend family, through Mary, are also not as kind. They talk behind Mary’s back all the time. No knowing what would happen with the information of her past engagement to Fredrick. And with Fredrick now richer and more established, Anne would probably be made fun of for giving him up. Plus, if she were to bring it up, what would Fredrick do? He must not want anyone to know of his embarrassment of being rejected because he also does not tell people of their past engagement, as you mentioned in your blog.
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