Can the respect of a mentor and care of a devoted housekeeper supplant parental affection?

Nora is the last surviving member of her family, but Dr. Croft and Mrs. Phipps function as her de facto father and mother. To what degree do you feel they are successful in those roles? Can the respect of a mentor and care of a devoted housekeeper supplant parental affection?

Absolutely, over and over I observe in life that family dose t always have to be blood related and in Nora’s case I think her mentor and house keeper really did become her adopted family.

I agree with jos that they were her adopted family and they did an excellent job and both loved her and she loved them. I am sure that we all have friends that were adopted or have adopted children you do not have to be blood related to be family. Nora certainly learned from Dr Croft. A great education for her that then led her to be able to study in Italy.

I absolutely agree that Dr. Croft and Mrs. Phipps were Nora's parents and family.
They no doubt provided emotional, financial, educational support to Nora as any biological parent would have, and maybe even more so. It was wonderful to see Nora and Dr. Croft bond over their mutual love of medicine and science.

Of course. If the last half century has taught us anything it's that "parental" roles can be provided by any willing and capable adult, whether they be biological parents or not.

I also agree that the doctor and housekeeper were her family. They played their roles very effectively even if sometimes Dr Croft seemed remote, he was not uncaring. And he provided very generously for her.

Without Croft and Phipps, Nora could have been totally abandoned and may not even have survived. Having two people who truly care about her as they do is totally responsible for her chance at success. Family is where you find it.

Yes. They truly cared for Nora and were her family.

Dr.Croft and Mrs. Phipps are, functionally, Nora's family. She has no other. Adoptive families successfully fill the role of natural parents every day.

Agree with everyone above! They created a very nice family for each other.

Absolutely, Dr. Croft and Mrs. Phipps were her family and made her believe in herself and insured that she would succeed in the path she chose in her life. When emotional issues surrounded Nora Mrs. Phipps was the one who stepped-in for support and encouragement.

There is no question that Dr. Croft & Mrs. Phipps provided Nora with the love, comfort and tools to live a fulfilled life. Often the family we choose or the family that chooses us provides better parenting than those to whom we are born.

I think this is a simpler question when looked at in terms of this story but a more complicated question when looked at generally. In Nora's case, she lost her birth parents, but knew of their existence, and found the care and support she needed in Dr. Croft and Mrs. Phipps to grow securely into adulthood. This is actually a highly specific scenario and a very different one from children who are adopted from birth, many of whom struggle in the situations they're placed in for a variety of reasons. But I think maybe the larger point is that children and people in general have various needs depending on their stage of life and circumstances, and that there are different ways those needs can be filled.

I think Nora will always ache for her family, especially since she was the sole survivor, but the impact of Dr. Croft and Mrs. Phipps has been enormous. Often positive adult role models and affection can compensate for less-than-optimal or non-existent parenting.

Obviously, it did

Absolutely - they cared for her like parents.

Not only did they care for her like a mother and father; I think Nora looked at them as parents as well.

Yes-the care and love of a devoted mentor and housekeeper can supplant parental affection. There have been may cases where parents have chosen though necessity or choice to abdicate their parental role and into that void stepped someone to care for the child. It reminds me of the movie "The Help" where the young child is raised virtually by the housekeeper. The housekeeper becomes the beloved care giver of the child.

Yes, absolutely they can. Nora was raised by Mrs. Phipps and Dr. Croft, and encouraged to follow her interests. Neither of them, however, was affectionate the way a parent might be, such as hugs. Mrs. Phipps always looked out for her emotional welfare, and Dr. Craft was aloof and neither ever really spoke openly of the fact that they loved Nora, but Nora always felt cared for. In contrast, Daniel had both parents, but did not feel supported in his ambitions or in his personal life. He was always being judged and held to societal expectations. Who was better off here? I vote Nora.

I absolutely agree that the Dr Croft and Mrs Phipps were her family in several ways that count: took her in, loved her, taught her, accepted her dreams and encouraged them...

Absolutely! Family comes in many different forms and biology doesn't make you a good parent just because you share blood. I have so many people in my life that have poured into me...loved me, encouraged me, believed in me, and their love is just as important as the love I have for my parents.

I agree - this was family for Nora. It was touching to see the way the family love and support was present.

I agree that they were family but still with a sense of loss of Nora's parents and siblings.