To me there is nothing much to choose between Sir Walter & Elizabeth when it comes to selfishness and materialism but, so far at least, I don’t think he has been actively spiteful to Anne. Elizabeth is a horrible older sister; she has none of the protectiveness or kindness so commendable in Elinor Dashwood and Jane & Lizzy Bennet. Elizabeth as mistress of Kellynch affects Anne’s life in ways a “big” sister usually cannot. She excludes Anne from duties and pleasures she ought to have a part in. Anne is (obviously) not allowed to be useful or have any input in the household at Kellynch or in setting up their home in Bath. Despite Lady Russell’s urging Elizabeth refuses Anne a place in their trips to London. The fact Elizabeth is happy to deprive Anne of a yearly gift (Ch. 1) and telling Anne no one will want her in Bath (Ch. 5) seem to me spiteful. Does all this arise from Elizabeth’s lack of feeling and empathy and plain dislike of Anne as a person or does it go deeper than that. Elizabeth obviously has been and is a favorite of their father and I wonder, considering how much she is like her mother, if Anne was a favorite of that parent. I can’t help but imagine Lady Elliot did not wish her namesake to emulate Sir Walter and probably did her best to discourage it—if she was as sensible per report in Ch. 1 then she should have. Is there anything of jealously in Elizabeth’s manner towards Anne? (:D)