How we cite our quotes: Volume.Part.Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #7
The wicked mother seemed to hate it—as if the poor baby was in fault!—from the day it was born. My heart was heavy for the child; and I made the offer to bring it up as tenderly is if it was my own. (3.1.7.61)
We're totally with Mrs. Clements on her rant against Jane Catherick, who sounds like the world's worst mother. This book doesn't deal too much with parents—the major familial relationships featured are siblings and married couples. But Jane Catherick stands in contrast to the book's good mom, Mrs. Fairlie.
Quote #8
"You have not got your mother's face," she said, "or your mother's heart. Your mother's face was dark; and your mother's heart, Miss Fairlie, was the heart of an angel." (2.1.6.94)
Anne's sad and disturbing worship of Mrs. Fairlie starts making sense after we learn about Jane Catherick and her terrible parenting skills. And Anne's implicit judgment of Laura (for not properly honoring her mother's memory) is even juicier when you realize that they're half-sisters.
Quote #9
I have no claim on her, which society sanctions, which the law allows, to strengthen me in resisting him, and in protecting her. This places me at a serious disadvantage. (3.3.3.15)
The way family ties into the law becomes a growing concern as the book progresses. Here Walter recognizes how limited he is to act on Laura and Marian's behalf, even though they are family in the ways that really matter.