6. How did her stepmother’s expectations help to shape the young woman Copper was to become?

[Margaret]

She gave Copper an insight into a world that was not what she saw everyday. Also in a way, I think by not sharing her fears and thoughts with Copper, she made her more keen to be more open with others to avoid a bitterness she felt with Grace. Whether meaning to or not.

[Amy]

Grace meant well, all of her goals were for Copper's long-term happiness, marrying into a well-educated, rich family. That's what Grace always wanted for herself and Julie. But that's just it, they were HER goals, not Copper's.
Someone once told me your parents mold you into who you are. We have seen what our parents do and who they are. We pick up traits we like and see the ones we don't like and make a conscious choice to become us. But we were influenced by our parents one way or another.