Like vs. Respect
Posted by MB on November 24, 1997 at 17:29:43:
In response to I agree with that, written by Nelle on November 19, 1997 at 23:23:44
] But.....(there is always a but, there seems) I believe that he was just trying to make fun at Mary, not at all of them. He doesn't like the three younger girls, for they have no sense, to them, and so he can not like them. He doesn't like his wife any longer, either, I don't think. Well, if he does, it's not a great deal, anyway.
] Well, that's all I've got to say. Anyone got a view like mine? Just curious.
He doesn't have to like his wife and daughters, but I think that, as the head of the household at least, he should respect them more and not constantly set them up as objects of ridicule (especially in public). After all, much of their silliness might have disappeared had he been a more "hands-on" parent.
When I first read the book (20 years ago), he was my favorite character, after Lizzie. In subsequent reading, however, I did come to realize that his negelct was responsible for a lot of the ills in his family. He is still one of the most intelligent and humorous characters in literature, but it is a humor sometimes tainted by cruelty.
MB
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