I think Anne and LR have, what is for them, a great relationship. Thankfully, though, Anne matured enough to realize that she needed to do what was necessay to achieve the life she wanted. If she had complied with LR's wishes to marry Mr. Elliot, I fear it may have tainted their relationship if Anne ever found out what a scoundrel she was living with.

I don't actually think JA ever meant for us to truly dislike LR. She is very careful to lay the groundwork with positive qualities, particulary the state of motherhood, to allow us and Anne the capability of forgiving her at the end. I think that we are meant to view LR's beliefs and actions, more so, with disapproval because, as I said in an earlier post, I believe that she represents the status quo in Regency society paralleling the tone that is interweaved throughout JA's work which seems to be disapproval of that society and the pressure from within it to keep it that way.

From Robbin's post on LR: ]Lady Russell does finally accept Captain Wentworth at the end but it is not a change from within, she gives in at last only because Anne forces her to do so by accepting Captain Wentworth again and exposing Mr. Elliot.

Well said. In the end the irony is that there is a reversal and Lady Russell must be the one to be persuaded. I am reminded, here, of P&P when Lady Catherine is so against Darcy marrying Lizzie. She has great affection for Darcy and Lady Russell has great affection for Anne and both ladies know that if they are to continue in Darcy's/Anne's lives, they must accept/learn to love their partners. My greatest compliments must go to Anne, who is indeed a 'too excellent creature', to show such gracious forbearance all these years without ever casting blame or resentment.