This is a very interesting question to think about in relation
to this novel, as it is clear that Anne gains little from her family. Note how she is described
as being "nobody" to her father or sister:
... her word had no weight; her convenience was always to
give way; - she was only Anne.
The way
that Anne is treated by both her sisters and her father throughout the novel is shocking in the
way that it completely reinforces her inferiority as far as her family are concerned. Yet it is
through friendship that this balance is righted, for, we are told, that Lady Russell has
completely different ideas about her:
To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly
valued god-daughter, favourite and friend. Lady Russell loved them all; but it was only in Anne
that she could fancy the mother to revive
again.
Therefore the novel suggests,
in Anne's case at least, that friendship is of more importance to characters than
family.
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