Character
Thomas Bertram, who is mainly called "Tom", is depicted as a person who is careless and extravagant. He is not particularly kind to his cousin Fanny Price, the poor ward of his parents when she comes to live with the family. Once grown up, he is only interested in amusing himself and is careless and extravagant with money. As a result of Tom's debts, his father has to sell the living of the local parish to pay off his debts. This harms the prospects of his brother Edmund Bertram who was intended to become a clergyman and live off the tithes of the parish. Though Tom was a bit ashamed of his actions, he continued to seek his pleasures.
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