JoanP.,
" I don't think Mrs. Gaskell is expressing a moral here - The inequity of the first-born inheriting the estate is not a matter of favoritism, but rather a well-established and accepted custom in England."
I think you may have misunderstood my reason for feeling there may be a moral here, about showing favoritism. I was not referring to Osborne inheriting the estate. I was aware of,
"Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn son to inherit the family estate."
I was referring to ALL the compliments, bragging and praise Mrs. Hamley and the squire had for Osborne in comparison to Roger. Because of their favoritism shown IN WORDS, and description, before they knew of Osborne failing out of college, and squandering the family money, I personally felt he was the favored son. They did not have the same praise or feelings about Roger. Molly got the idea Osborn was the perfect son/hero, from the picture and words of Mrs. Hamley, and the squire, without ever meeting Osborne. If anything, I thought Molly actually spoke up in Roger's defense, when she told Mrs. Hamley about Roger helping her with his advice, and Mrs. Hamley made a statement about Osborne is the more gentle one, as if Roger is not capable of helping Molly, and Molly spoke up and said,
"I like roughness." For ME, the moral is....don't favor one son above the other. Keep them equal in your thoughts, praise and feelings. (Regardless which position the elder will assume) I have two sons who are 2 yrs. apart in age, so when the younger son had the same 6th grade teacher as his brother had 2 yrs prior, that teacher compared them and favored my oldest son, she told me Mike was more apt to be a success, where Jeremy would have problems in jobs because he was a bit rough. I told her, I beg to differ with her, and that my two sons are very different in personalities, style and speech, but they will both be successful in life, because they know their parents love them, encourage them and support them equally. I can say with pride today....both sons ARE a success, and best friends to each other. And when I saw this teacher years later she asked about my two sons and smiled, when I said how successful BOTH boys are.
I have followed Prince William & Harry since their births, and the reason why those two men are best friends today, is because their parents did not show favoritism, even though William will assume the throne and be King, before Harry. So, I personally, do see Gaskell giving her readers a moral to learn here.
JoanP.,
Mr. Hamley feels doctors are quacks. He is probably expressing what many feel at this time...although he seems to repect Dr. Gibson
.
I didn't feel Mr. Hamley
really thought, all doctors are quacks. I felt he was upset hearing what Gibson was telling him, about Mrs. Hamley's failing health, and he did not want to accept it, so he was striking out at doctors in general. He knew in his heart, what Gibson was saying was true, and when Gibson suggested getting the second opinion, I felt Mr. Hamley KNEW, the second opinion would be the same, so he says,
"all doctors are quacks." He does respect Gibson, and he knows inside he is going to lose Mrs. Hamley, from what Gibson is saying, and how Mrs. Hamley's health has failed, since the news of Osborne's failing out of college, and spending the family money. Hence, she can not deal with the let down of her favorite son. Her world has come crashing down, as has the squire's. They had built Osborne up to be the perfect son, the intellect, the success, the hero! (And yes, the one to inherit Hamley Hall) Now their reality is, he is not perfect, like Roger, Osborne has flaws, and they have to be thinking Osborne can't be trusted to make good financial decisions in the position in taking over Hamley Hall, considering his squandering the family money. Something they could never see before this.
I am off to read this week's chapters. I pray Mrs. Hamley will make a recovery, but it is not looking good at this point.
Ciao for now~
p.s. Not sure why, but I tried spell check again and it still is not working for me. It shows a word highlighted, and I click "ignore" it will not respond. It's been like this for me for a couple of days now.