Family Duty and Self-Sacrifice

Characters like Fanny Temple and Grace Curtis embody quiet, self-effacing devotion to family, while Rachel must learn that domestic responsibilities are not inferior to grand public ambitions but are themselves a form of meaningful service.

Rachel takes on the responsibility of supervising Fanny's children, and Fanny's past shows her sheltered life and the sacrifices made by others for her.

Bessie presents her marriage as a sacrifice for her family's benefit, but Alick suspects it is a selfish choice to escape her duties.

Grace's efforts to maintain family appearances and Rachel's sacrifice of her own comfort to attend the dinner for her mother's sake illustrate the theme.

Rachel's concern for her mother's well-being and her willingness to endure public scrutiny for the sake of her family's reputation demonstrate the theme of family duty and self-sacrifice.