Knowing an Author's Influences

There are so many different approaches to understanding a piece of literature. One such way is to become familiar with those texts with which an author enjoyed. While this is not always apparent and available, Jane Austen often finds herself alluding to other works while composing her own.
Being human, an individual goes about the world coming into contact with so many various people and influences. As this occurs, the individual invariably comes away with a portion of new understanding due to this interaction. If an artist attempted to convey this on canvas, she might paint a more understandable visual using a collage of different items/ideas/people with which portions become attached to a central figure.
I see this in myself in my word patterns after spending large amounts of time with any given individual or after submerging myself in a particular novel. It is inescapable for me, yet neither is it desirable to not be influenced as I choose good things and people by which to be influenced.
Even in this thought, the entirety of the plot of Jane Austen's Persuasion is set. The characters are persuaded through their encounters with others to create their opinions and further their influences. It is only by the end of the novel that the heroine rises above strictly being persuaded and influenced to make good and justly decisions on her own. Anne ultimately recognizes in herself the ability to make good judgments and to be happy with the outcome and consequences of such.