# Love and Sacrifice in The Venetians

> Theme guide for The Venetians by M. E. Braddon.

Love is portrayed as both a redeeming and a destructive force, with characters like Lisa refusing a wealthy marriage out of love, and Eve sacrificing her happiness for her husband's peace, while Vansittart sacrifices his reputation for his family's honor.

## Where it surfaces

- [One Thread in Life Worth Spinning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xi-one-thread-in-life-worth-spinning): Vansittart's willingness to overlook Eve's family background and his longing to marry her reflect the theme of love overcoming obstacles.
- [XII: “One Born to Love You, Sweet”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xii-one-born-to-love-you-sweet): Vansittart's proposal and willingness to marry Eve without a dowry, and his desire to include his mother in their lives, demonstrate love and sacrifice.
- [XV: “Love Should Be Absolute Love”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xv-love-should-be-absolute-love): Vansittart's declaration that he would marry Eve even if her brother were a felon underscores the theme of unconditional love and personal sacrifice.
- [XVI: To Live Forgotten and Love Forlorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xvi-to-live-forgotten-and-love-forlorn): Lisa's passionate love and willingness to sacrifice herself contrast with Vansittart's pragmatic decision to marry Eve.
- [XVII: “She Was More Fair Than Words Can Say”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xvii-she-was-more-fair-than-words-can-say): Vansittart's advice to Eve to keep the gift, despite his own disgust, demonstrates his willingness to make personal sacrifices for the sake of social harmony and his love for Eve.
- [The Shadow Passeth When the Tree Shall Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xviii-the-shadow-passeth-when-the-tree-shall-fall): Eve and Jack's mutual devotion is tested by concern for Peggy, showing love's willingness to act.
- [XX: Peggy’s Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xx-peggy-s-chance): Vansittart sacrifices his own pleasures to accompany Eve and Peggy to Cannes, and Eve's grief for Peggy is a testament to her love for her sister.
- [From the Evil to Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxi-from-the-evil-to-come): Eve's grief and Vansittart's devotion show love tested by loss and the sacrifice of a hoped-for child.
- [So Very Wilful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxii-so-very-wilful): Lisa's passionate love for Vansittart and her grief at his rejection highlight the theme of unrequited love and the sacrifices it demands.
- [XXIX: 'Tis Not the Same Now, Never More Can Be](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxix-tis-not-the-same-now-never-more-can-be): Eve sacrifices her own happiness and her marriage out of loyalty to her dead brother, despite her deep love for Jack.
- [XXXI: “Oh Tell Her, Brief Is Life, but Love Is Long”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxxi-oh-tell-her-brief-is-life-but-love-is-long): Lisa's rejection by Vansittart leads her to sacrifice romantic love for financial security and artistic success.
- [XXXIII: “Both Together, He Her God, She His Idol”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxxiii-both-together-he-her-god-she-his-idol): Eve's love for her husband leads her to sacrifice her loyalty to her dead brother, yearning to see him before she dies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/themes/love_and_sacrifice
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/themes