Maybe...
Posted by Cassia on September 27, 1997 at 14:21:11:
In response to Jane's Kids, written by Jane Elizabeth on September 23, 1997 at 14:55:18
] The descriptions in S&S of the spoiled and annoying Middleton children (and horrid Lucy's dealings with them) are grimly true to life, as are the parental failings of the Musgroves. Austen had high ideals on what constituted good parenting; witness the Bennets and the Bertrams. Or maybe badly reared children are just more interesting than well brought up ones? (Every happy family is the same...)
] I think she would have been less hard on parents had she been one. She may have been close to her neices, but any parent will tell you that proximity is not the same as responsibility.
] PS: There was a discussion of Margaret a while back on this board. And be careful when drawing conclusions about Austen based on this film. Margaret is far less developed in the book.
Maybe part of the reason she didn't like to include young children on formal occassion or in her novels is that once they are introduced, small children tend to take over the scene. This I have learned through innumerable parties with married friends. This may be as it should be but still.
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