I think Rhett Butler was AP

[Dr.Worm]

Ok, Scarlett was definitely not a good mommy....but Rhett went around the neighborhood with his daughter showing her off and playing with her even though it wasn't "done" in those days in the south for fathers to act like that. also, he wouldn't let her cry it out and when Scarlett complained, he asked how she would feel being left alone to cry.

[Brigianna]

Yeah, but didn't he also put quinine on Bonnie's fingers so she wouldn't suck her thumb? I guess that was just what people did though. And he was mainly motivated by advancing their social position, which doesn't seem so much ap as more like the stereotypical mainstream parents trying to get their kids into the "best" college-prep preschools.

He was definitely more ap than Scarlett though.

[Dr.Worm]

Yeah...the quinine thing is true and I guess you're right..it was mostly to help her social position....also, I guess being a better parent than scarlet isn't saying much

[lenore80]

Did they really have braces and orthodontics back then? He was probably trying to make sure she wouldn't ruin her teeth.

[milk_maker]

sigh! Oh that Rhett Butler could melt my butter any day. I loved that book when I was a teenager and always felt that Scarlet got her just desserts. I was SO ticked when I read the sequel that I threw the book away. I later found out (by reading more of Ripley's writings) that it was just a clone of every other book that woman's written so I shouldn't have been too upset.

Back to Rhett though, yum!

[Brigianna]

Originally Posted by lenore80

Did they really have braces and orthodontics back then? He was probably trying to make sure she wouldn't ruin her teeth.

Well, it's mostly a myth that thumb-sucking will ruin your teeth. Dental problems have a lot more to do with genetics than anything else. But humans are oral creatures, especially as babies and young children. Maybe I'm being too simplistic, but I think if sucking were harmful or unhealthy, people wouldn't have evolved with a sucking instinct.

Anyway, back on topic... Rhett Butler. He was really attached and loving to Bonnie but he and Scarlett both seemed to have basically a contempt for her two older children. I felt sorry for them. Especially the little boy who seemed so traumatized.