] Mrs. Dashwood, while a parent and doing a parent's job, caring for her children, settling disputes, chiding Marianne on occasion, very often displays other familial roles with her daughters.

] She is very like a sister to Marianne, sharing a similar outlook on life and literature and romance. But she is also often mothered in turn by Elinor

Yes, I wonder if Marianne took after her mother or father. I found her mother some what lacking in a maternal sense. I love Mrs. Dashwood. At the same time in advice giveing, she is not there. She does not heed what Elinor tells her. She remidnds me, as you stated before, she is like a sister. I will not mention it, but there are also a lot of lacking parents. THough I have not read S&S in a long time - sorry - I cannot remember a moment where MRs. Dashwood gave Marianne or Elinor counsiel in a a bad circumstance.