In the novel Persuasion, Austen clearly shows that family can be a burden to one's life when they place their own desires before others. Throughout the book, Anne Elliot constantly feels stuck in her own family. She doesn’t quite fit in with their personalities, but she cannot escape them because of that. Her father and sisters are extremely vain and selfish, which causes them to treat Anne harshly. They tend to forget about others’ feelings and only do things for themselves. For example, Anne’s sister Mary thinks she is a great mother, but she would rather leave her own hurt, sick child alone with Anne than miss the opportunity to dine with the handsome Captain Wentworth at the Musgrove household. She speaks to Anne explaining that “I may
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Unlike the Elliots, the Musgroves don’t seem to care about status or title. They want what is best for their daughters, which is why they allow Louisa and Henrietta to marry whoever they love despite their lower social status, which just so happens to be who Mary hates. Charles Hayter, Henrietta’s fiancé, is much disliked by Anne’s younger sister. Also, earlier in the story, Mary speaks her opinions about Captain Benwick, Louisa’s fiancé. Before Benwick had completely introduced himself to Louisa, he seemed to have an interest in Anne, pointed out by Charles Musgrove. He insists that Benwick is in love with Anne, justifying that “his head is full of some books that he is reading upon your (Anne’s) recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them” (123). On the other hand, Mary disagrees only because he is not high in rank and “(h)e is one of the dullest young men that ever lived” (123). While the Musgroves think about attractions towards their daughters, the Elliots think about the money that would go towards their daughters. In this case, Anne envies the Musgrove daughters “nothing but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement together, that good-humored mutual affection” (39). Anne could have been a completely different person if she were to grow up as a child of the Musgroves rather than the
Unlike the Elliots, the Musgroves don’t seem to care about status or title. They want what is best for their daughters, which is why they allow Louisa and Henrietta to marry whoever they love despite their lower social status, which just so happens to be who Mary hates. Charles Hayter, Henrietta’s fiancé, is much disliked by Anne’s younger sister. Also, earlier in the story, Mary speaks her opinions about Captain Benwick, Louisa’s fiancé. Before Benwick had completely introduced himself to Louisa, he seemed to have an interest in Anne, pointed out by Charles Musgrove. He insists that Benwick is in love with Anne, justifying that “his head is full of some books that he is reading upon your (Anne’s) recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them” (123). On the other hand, Mary disagrees only because he is not high in rank and “(h)e is one of the dullest young men that ever lived” (123). While the Musgroves think about attractions towards their daughters, the Elliots think about the money that would go towards their daughters. In this case, Anne envies the Musgrove daughters “nothing but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement together, that good-humored mutual affection” (39). Anne could have been a completely different person if she were to grow up as a child of the Musgroves rather than the