It's also interesting that her character could shed some light on Marianne's. Marianne and Elinor are put off by her behaviour, but is Mrs. Dashwood indulging Marianne's behaviour too much?

The 3-year-old kicks her siblings who try to touch her and keeps crying louder in the prospect of receiving some marmalade or other coddling. What does that type of spoiled behaviour look like in a 17-year-old who has been much indulged by a loving mother? Are these two mothers raising daughters who won't be able to cope with life's normal ups and downs?