Extra Credit Questions

[Eva Elisabeth]

IMO Tad was pampered and he wasn't someone (other than his brothers) whose intrinsic strive could overcome convenience, comfort zone and lacking extrinsic need. Robert wasn't even that pampered at all (even got slapped). If Tad had had to live with my mother, that would have cured him from pranks, mischief or lacking work attitude thoroughly. He would NEVER have dared to fail in school or steal colors to smear on White House walls. That is why I think Hohagen's did him good...(and still I wonder, David, do you have kids? Maybe you have good nerves.). Just to clarify, being spoiled from pampering doesn't have to do with being or not being good-hearted (and it's even easier to share what you don't need yourself because you have enough as well as it is easier to prank when you have endless spare time for self-amusement) - I do think he was emphatic and caring nevertheless, but a pampered lazy bone without any proper working attitude. It's OK, it was the Lincolns' policy and matter, and they consequently had to deal with it.

Now imagine Tad had had to grow up under exactly his father's conditions and circumstances, in a modest working class family and log cabin home, having to work hard physically and having to work hard for the mere option of education, losing siblings and warm-hearted mother - what would he have done?