[Afamilyatwar-list] Sefton

[Veit, Richard]

You make some valid points, Jane. I do think Sefton is a very lonely
person. It is clear to see that he craves the companionship of son Tony
and sister Helen, and he becomes quite lost when he finds himself alone in
that big house, all too often turning to the false security of strong
drink. Even solicitor George Askew and housekeeper Mary Foster can fill
the void for a time. Deep down, Sefton is a kind-hearted man, but his
greed blunts any acts of goodness that he may be inclined to perform.
Edwin, in contrast, is kind-hearted but utterly untainted by selfishness.
That is what makes him such a noble character and worthy of our admiration
and praise. I also agree with you that Edwin is jealous of his
brother-in-law's superior social standing. Jean's rather cruel dismissal
of her own husband's feelings in that regard only serves to drive a wedge
between the couple. She becomes so cold toward him after Robert's death
that it irreparably damages their marriage.

Richard Veit
 


On 8/5/18, 4:41 AM, "Jane Clark via Afamilyatwar-list"
<Afamilyatwar-list at baylor.edu> wrote:

>Good Morning  to you all
>Sometimes I found it left me go cold how Sefton Jean¹s brother was
>regarded by Edwin and often felt Edwin had a chip on his shoulder that he
>was given charity etc and aware that he is from another class than Jean¹s
>side of the family and grew very bitter.
>
>Maybe I like to see the good in people but though Sefton was a very kind
>hearted gentleman to his family and had their welfare at heart . I saw
>Sefton as a lonely kind of person that craved being with his family.  I
>don¹t think Edwin realised that Sefton needed them as much as they needed
>him, if he had known that he would have been different perhaps more
>kinder about him. 
>
>I think sefton was greatly misunderstood by his brother in law Edwin ,
>although  don¹t get me wrong Edwin is a man of good principle and kindly
>himself and as a character I liked him as I liked Sefton.  Edwin was
>bitter of his brother in law perhaps a little jealous of him of what
>appeared  that was his success and opportunities in life , I remembered a
>line when Edwin confronted  Jean  of not seeing his family enough but he
>couldn¹t see any wrong in himself of his dislike or indifference for his
>own brother  in law.  When she replied they are not my people she was
>being selfish and yet brutally honest with him ,while all the time Edwin
>harboured grudges and concealed his feelings towards Sefton but took
>sefton¹s support all the same . It wasn¹t nice to do to anyone let alone
>family. Would be interested to hear what your thoughts are on this.
>
>Kind regards 
>Jane
>_______________________________________________
>Afamilyatwar-list mailing list
>Afamilyatwar-list at baylor.edu
>https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmailman.b
>aylor.edu%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fafamilyatwar-list&amp;data=01%7C01%7CRich
>ard_Veit%40baylor.edu%7Caf50563956d14374cb3b08d5fab7d685%7C22d2fb35256a459
>bbcf4dc23d42dc0a4%7C1&amp;sdata=NRuf5QG5ao%2FVL8RhEotTERrpCQpe%2BF9YArSqdQ
>TD%2B%2Bo%3D&amp;reserved=0