# Sacrifice and Respectability in Futility

> Theme guide for Futility by William Gerhardie.

Fanny Ivanovna's story reveals how she sacrificed her own reputation and marriage for the children, yet craves the respectability denied her, illustrating the tension between personal sacrifice and social convention.

## Where it surfaces

- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/v): Fanny sacrificed her own respectability and the chance of marriage to keep Nikolai's children, only to face betrayal.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/chapters/viii): Fanny Ivanovna reflects on her sacrifices and denied respectability, highlighting the tension between her instincts and her life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/themes/sacrifice_and_respectability
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/futility_se/themes