ndeed, Sir Walter favors Elizabeth because he sees both himself and his late wife in his eldest daughter. As Austen explains, ôElizabeth had succeeded, at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother's rights and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most happilyö (Austen 6). Unlike her sister Anne, Elizabeth shares much in common with her father, and this inevitably draws them closer together. Both she and Sir Walter are interested in superficial displays of wealth and social standing, and demonstrate haughty disdain for anyone who does not belong to the higher, landed class. In fact, this trait is the reason that Sir Walter did not approve of AnneÆs relationship with Wentworth and that Elizabeth remains unmarried, as she is unable to find a suitor that she believes is good enough for her.
In contrast, Anne and Mary do not touch their fatherÆs heart in the same way as their older sister. Quite simply, ôHis two other children were of very inferior valueö (Austen 6). Mary carries some importance in her fatherÆs eyes because she has married the wealthy Musgrove, but ôAnne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no weight, her convenience was always to give way-- she was only Anneö (Austen 6). Indeed, Anne occupies the lowest standing within the Elliot family, as she is so different from her sisters. Unlike Elizabeth, who values the extravagant lifestyle that the family enjoys so dearly, Anne understands that her father is living beyond his means, and urges him to curtail his spending. Contrasted with her older sister, Anne appears level-headed and modest. She r
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