include, for me, all the friends and family that Anne is easily amused with. In fact, she is amused at the follies of other so often (while keeping her opinions politely to herself) that we see things in the same light.

Those characters are people like Mrs Musgrove, Mary, Lady Russell, Henrietta and Louisa - foolish but loveable all the same. They aren't villains, but as JA enjoys writing the lively villains, Anne enjoys observing the others. A good example is in chapter 12, where Henrietta is rhapsodising about how Dr Shirley should move to Lyme.

'Anne was amused by Henrietta's manner of being grateful, and amused also that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta's views should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the Musgrove family.'