I have been thinking for a while about the Tilneys and was going to post something about them this morning. You beat me to it. (again..)

] Since Henry and Eleanor turned out so well, you might think it to be out of character -

I am not so sure that turn out that OK.
I think that until the very end we see them giving in to the G’s controlling behavior. They are very quiet & submissive in his company, and very lively & engaging with out him.
They almost develop dual personalities.

Maybe here is the source of Henry’s sense of humor. This is his only tool to fight his father’s oppression. He could not protect himself, his sister (&possibly his mother) from the general’s bursts of wrath, but he could make them all laugh afterward, when he is gone.
He learned to make fun and light of every situation. It’s a very useful protective mechanism.
Actually the first time Henry stands his grounds against his father is for Catherine. And he needed at least a day to recover from it before he could travel to see her.
“Henry, in an agitation of mind which many solitary hours were required to compose, had returned almost instantly to Woodston, and, on the afternoon of the following day, had begun his journey to Fullerton.”
More so: ‘Making light of things’ instead of really tackling them could also be the reason why Henry chooses not to talk to Frederick about IT. He is use to staying out of the way, let things happen.

] As for Frederick, he may have inherited more of his father's genes and that would explain somewhat his difference of behavior.

Fredrick on the other hand is a different story. He probably does have more of his father’s genes. His way of handling the General is simply staying away as far and as long as possible.

Another protective mechanism for Henry & Eleanor is to escape into a good book.
They are both voracious readers. Come to think about it Henry is an obsessive one. (Remember, he couldn’t wait for Eleanor’s return and ran away with her book).
This is another point of Catherine’s attraction. Henry can really understand how you can immerse yourself in a novel. But this probably belongs to another post.

]Again, thanks to all you Ladies and Gentlemen for sharing your thoughts. And to Cheryl, a bouquet of roses for all your efforts. You are appreciated!

Absolutely!!
Thank you all!