] But James Morland strikes me as your basic, generic brother-type, who is carelessly affectionate, takes his sister for granted but expects to be comforted anyway.

] I wonder if those of us who cut James a bit more slack than others, have a handful of brothers about? We are familiar with the beast and so are more accepting of it.

I only have two brothers, but I agree with you. There are lots of things in James' behavior that is wrong, and I too hope (and believe) that after some time has passed, he can look back and maybe apologize to Catherine.