Persuasion Appearances Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from thinking it a bad match for her. On the contrary, when he saw more of Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well, he was very much struck by his personal claims, and felt that his superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced against her superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by his well-sounding name, enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a very good grace, for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour. (24.2)

Sir Walter's two obsessions come together in the marriage of Anne and Wentworth. While others think it's all right for the rich and the talented to have upward class mobility, Sir Walter thinks being beautiful is reason enough to be accepted in society. Does this contradict his class snobbery, or reinforce it?