2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

David Wilbanks wanted Catherine because his death was imminent and he wanted to secure her future. Was it selfish on his part to separate her from Sarah or was his point of view understandable?

I thought it was understandable considering his class attitudes (basically selfish!) and the fact that he was dying. I doubt he was considering Sarah at all

Separating the child from the people she’d come to love didn’t seem to be putting her interests ahead of his, especially since he wasn’t going to be around much longer. I also wondered why he’d waited a year. I know he loved Catherine, it just felt a bit selfish.

I think he believed that Catherine would recognize him and that he could be with her for the last few weeks of his life. Maybe he also thought that his daughter and son-in-law would help raise her (once they came to know her). He probably wouldn't consider that she had become attached to Sarah.

I was hoping that he’d give some consideration to where she’d been and how she was really doing. It took him so long to come around to that.

I thought it understandable for him to want to spend the little time he had left with his daughter. He probably didn't realize how much Sarah and Catherine had become attached to each other, and he didn't see how much his other children didn't want to take care of her.

I agree with you all; he was sick, dying and thinking of his child without intervening time or people who loved her, or who wanted to have her for unworthy reasons.

Yes, it was selfish but also understandable given the circumstances.

Also, it wasn't as if he didn't care about Catherine. He loved her and had been searching for her. She wasn't an afterthought because he was sick.

Good point.

He didn't know Sarah anymore than she knew him. I don't think it was selfish as much as concern for his daughter. He knows Emma doesn't give her the love she needs. There are a lot of relationships that are healed when someone knows their death is close. Willbanks wanted to have the love of his child in his final days.