Sir Walter is a stumbling block for me. I'm used to novels like "Vanity Fair," where harmful, despicable characters appear on the fringes -- Lord Steyne, for example. Not in the families of major characters.

I can't help but feel that Sir Walter is a blight on every human being he encounters, even if it's just for several minutes.

Perhaps this is as JA intends, and Sir Walter will behave better later in the narrative, or Anne will rid herself of his abusive, neglectful presence.