Question F

[Jonetta]

Cork and Jo's oldest daughter, Jenny, faces a crisis. Many perspectives were presented here. What do you think the author 's purpose was in including this story? How do you think Jo and Cork handled the situation? Is Sean forever toast? Should she ever forgive him?

[Phrynne]

I thought Jo and Cork handled the whole thing rather well although I was not comfortable with the number of things Jo keeps to herself. Just because Dad might get angry is not enough reason to keep secrets from him!
In a way the author opted for the easiest solution to the problem he had created for his characters. And yes I think Sean is toast - Jenny deserves better!

[Jonetta]

I'm with you on Jo withholding information like that from Cork. She was dead wrong. Both parents needed to be involved from the onset.

Not sure of the author's intent in including this story but he wrapped it up neatly. Maybe it was just another illustration of children having paths different from their parents' expectations and you love them anyway (Maria being with Henry, Henry leaving the boarding school, Henry Wellington actually being the kind of man that Meloux admired instead of that fop pretender). Jenny's situation did wrap pretty neatly and let's hope she never looks back or at Sean.