There are views that Anne has low self-esteem, or is too long-suffering. But I don't agree that Anne has low self-esteem about her capabilities, although she has come to lack confidence in her physical attractiveness until Lyme.

I've asked the question -- whether Anne's real fault is her fastidiousness. The narrator mentions the "fastidiousness of her taste" in chap 4, and Mr Elliot in chap 16 when discussing the Dalrymples tells Anne that she is "fastidious". Anne is defintely not a snob like her father and sister, intent on rank and status, but is she a bit of an intellectual snob?

In chap 5, we're told that she has a "comfortable feeling of superiority", knowing that she has a "more elegant and cultivated mind" than the Musgroves. She knew she played the piano much better than the Miss Musgroves, but is not mortified that Mr and Mrs Musgrove was so partial to their daughters' performances, because she knew they knew nothing about music, even when they praised her out of politeness or gratitude for playing country dances. She preferred the role of musician to dancing, but wouldn't it be better for her if she joined in the dance occasionally, even if she was still the chief volunteer for the role of musician instead of not dancing at all? Does she indirectly think herself above such common enjoyments as dancing?

About her having only her mother and later Frederick to listen to her music with "just appreciation and real taste", I've said that I believe Lady R also listened and praised her, but fastidious Anne knew when praise is given out of politeness or kindness, and when it was given with "real taste". But Lady R and Anne are intellectual equals regarding literature, Capt Benwick also.

Frederick is Anne's intellectual equal on music, literature, and possesses the qualities of wit and enthusiasm liked and admired by Anne, so he suited the "nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste".