Sir Kit's Bride
Sir Kit believes that he has bested his bride by refusing to support her in her quest to get the staff to respect her wishes, especially when it comes to her religious beliefs and observation. Although he confines her to her quarters and continues to serve pork against her wishes, she ultimately beats him at his own game by cutting off all financial contribution to him or their household.
Isabella's Deficance
Isabella's father forbids her to marry a Rackrent. She does so anyway, leaving her family and her inheritance behind her not just for love, but because she thinks her future husband is a man of means. The irony to this tale is that his means were going to be her inheritance and she is forced to return to her father's home penniless and contrite.
Lady Rackrent's Fire Sale
There is not much of value in terms of the land or the actual building of Castle Rackrent. The items of value are inside the castle walls, and it is these that are going to be passed down through the generations. Ironically, these are the things that Lady Rackrent believes will re-invigorate family finances. She sells off everything that she can get any money for, and in doing so reduces the ancestral seat to an almost worthless shell on land that is not worth anything.
The Narrator's Observations
Our trusty narrator spends a great deal of the narrative telling the reader that his account is impartial and almost as much time reminding us that he is a good honest man with financial abilities, comparing himself very favorably against the Rackrents, whilst claiming to have no specific side whatsoever.
Marriage for Money of Love
Throughout the novel, the Rackrent heirs are unsure whether to marry for money or love. Ironically, since they no longer have any money, they cannot get any wealthy heiresses to show any romantic interest in them at all, and so have no choice but to marry for love.
