Or else smothered him?

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Or else smothered him? Written by Tina T (9/17/2006 10:07 a.m.) in consequence of the missive, I agree about her likely remoteness from John, penned by Tom P2

I cannot believe that Mrs Dashwood would ignore the needs of a motherless boy. But she may have tried too hard and been too much for him to take. If you were to lift out the part about the promise to his father and Fanny's talking him out of keeping it, what is left is a picture of a brother and step-son being very kind and attentive, if not really emotionally available.

"He really pressed them, with some earnestness, to consider Norland as their home; and, as no plan appeared so eligible to Mrs. Dashwood as remaining there till she could accommodate herself with a house in the neighbourhood, his invitation was accepted."

"His attentive behaviour to herself and his sisters convinced her that their welfare was dear to him"

I don't think he would have been so attentive if he had not liked her and cared about her, at least a little bit.

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John and his step-mother Barbara (9/15/2006 11:58 p.m.)

John Dashwood grew up lonely IMO. Reeba (9/16/2006 4:03 p.m.)
- I agree about her likely remoteness from John Tom P2 (9/17/2006 8:06 a.m.)
  - Or else smothered him? Tina T (9/17/2006 10:07 a.m.)
    - Or,there is a possibilty that JulieW (9/17/2006 11:15 a.m.)
      - Would a boy go away to school at 7 or 8? -nfm Mary Ellen (9/17/2006 11:28 p.m.)
        
        "One's heart aches for a dejected mind of eight years old&qu JulieW (9/18/2006 9:24 a.m.)
Now that you point it out… Robbin (9/16/2006 3:32 p.m.)
This situation intrigues me... Moni (9/16/2006 12:59 p.m.)
- Think like a father-in-law Tracy W (9/17/2006 1:27 a.m.)
  - But what was his income? Tina T (9/17/2006 2:50 a.m.)
    - We are told in chapter 1 Tracy W (9/17/2006 5:02 p.m.)
      - Not a half share Barbara (9/17/2006 5:21 p.m.)
    - That's the impression I gather too,Tina JulieW (9/17/2006 8:35 a.m.)
      - So in the matter of...   Moni (9/17/2006 10:37 a.m.)
        
        I think he did have a choice,Moni   JulieW (9/17/2006 10:51 a.m.)
        
        I see. Thanks Julie;-) (nfm)   Moni (9/17/2006 11:12 a.m.)
But what about the *legal inheritor*. I'm confused. Reeba (9/16/2006 9:10 a.m.)
- "Strict settlement" Maisy (9/16/2006 12:09 p.m.)
  - CH 1 says .... Reeba (9/16/2006 12:21 p.m.)
    - Let me explain........;-) JulieW (9/17/2006 8:16 a.m.)
      - A Big Help, Indeed but...   BarbaraB (9/17/2006 9:42 a.m.)
        
        I'm sure he could have been more generous   JulieW (9/17/2006 10:45 a.m.)
        
        Thanks, Julie :) nfm   BarbaraB (9/17/2006 11:09 p.m.)
      - Yes, it does. Thank you Julie :) nfm Reeba (9/17/2006 9:29 a.m.)
        
        My pleasure! nfm. JulieW (9/17/2006 9:36 a.m.)
    - May be similar to the present situation Barbara (9/16/2006 1:40 p.m.)
      - This explanation... Reeba (9/16/2006 1:47 p.m.)
Mr. Dashwood's faith in John Yvonne (9/16/2006 3:00 a.m.)
- I'm sure that Anne L (9/17/2006 11:49 a.m.)
- On Mrs Dashwood and John's relationship. Mandy N (9/16/2006 7:13 a.m.)
  - "Your father thought only of them." Maisy (9/17/2006 9:39 a.m.)
  - Partly his wife's fault? Kim E (9/16/2006 8:40 a.m.)
    - But the 14 years before that? Barbara (9/16/2006 11:30 a.m.)
      - I think you hit the nail on the head... Elizabeth Sycamore (9/16/2006 2:19 p.m.)
    - True, and I would add that... Julianne E. (9/16/2006 9:33 a.m.)
      - I disagree; John was a waffler Mary Ellen (9/18/2006 8:20 p.m.)
        
        Yes, a mighty pig… Robbin (9/19/2006 12:44 a.m.)
      - Yes and it says... Moni (9/16/2006 1:09 p.m.)
      - John and Fanny and Goneril and Regan Barbara (9/16/2006 11:57 a.m.)
        
        Thank you - had not thought of this parallel (nfm) Tracy W (9/17/2006 1:33 a.m.)
      - Maybe John took after his grandfather, who was...   Reeba (9/16/2006 9:52 a.m.)
        
        Not his grandfather   Barbara (9/16/2006 10:19 a.m.)
        
        The Uncle   BarbaraB (9/16/2006 12:18 p.m.)
        
        Protecting Norland   Maisy (9/16/2006 12:36 p.m.)
        
        A reasonable answer...   BarbaraB (9/16/2006 1:20 p.m.)
        
        I still think a larger amount settled...   Reeba (9/17/2006 3:56 a.m.)
        
        It does seem very unfair, doesn't it? -nfm   Maisy (9/16/2006 3:30 p.m.)
        
        I'm sure JA considered it unfair.   Mandy N (9/16/2006 4:26 p.m.)
        
        In addition   Pennie (9/17/2006 11:02 p.m.)
        
        Not per annum!   Barbara (9/16/2006 4:46 p.m.)
        
        Well,   Mandy N (9/17/2006 1:25 a.m.)
        
        Chawton   Frances R (9/17/2006 2:11 a.m.)

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