The whole depiction of the General's tyranny is very good isn't it? She never straightforwardly describes him as a tyrant, but leaves it up to the reader to experience that dawning realisation - some of us a bit more slowly than others I am ashamed to say ;-) It is an amazing portrait of the type of man, outwardly so charming and successful, but of his family so destructive. A wonderful example of JA's observational and analytic skills.