I agree that perhaps people do overemphasize Lady Russel's influence. As I have studied Anne a bit closer, I see that although she did highly regard LR's opinion, it is also stated that Anne's choice to end the engagement was for CW's benefit. Chp 4 states-"But it was not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting an end to it. Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more than her own, she could hardly have given him up. The belief of being prudent, and self-denying principally for his advantage, was her chief consolation, under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every consolation was required, for she had to encounter all the additional pain of opinions, on his side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and of his feeling himself ill-used by so forced a relinquishment." This shows me that, although young and impressionable, she had to consult her conscience to be at peace about her decision. I wonder what she would have done had she not been able to think it would benefit CW? She was influenced by LR, but she was not completely spineless.