The Smiley Smile Message Board

For all their faults, demons and questionable behavior over the years, one thing has to be said for the Wilson brothers – from my point of view, they seem/seemed to be exceptionally kind, genuine, empathetic, and generous people at their core. Stories I’ve read in books/online and heard firsthand from my friends (closer to the Wilson brothers than I) seem to corroborate my feeling that all 3 of them seem/seemed to have unusually big hearts, and could be more selfless than most other people I’ve ever known. Especially Carl, but I'd apply this to all 3 brothers.

As a simplified view, I imagine the Wilson brothers got their hardworking/motivated streak from their dad, but the deep kindness and “genuinely good person stuff” from their mom.

As Murry messed them up so deeply (despite his warped “good” intentions), I would have to think that Audree Wilson was THE reason for the Wilson brothers’ kindness streak. I have to assume she was a truly, truly special, kind and empathetic person who deeply implanted traits that make people “good people” in her sons. I’m not saying that she (or anyone in the BB universe) is/was a saint, but I would think that she’d had to have been an exceptionally special person herself.

What do we know about Audree as a person/parent as it relates to my question?
I’ve read very little about her. 


 

They got it from Al.  Al's so fucking obnoxiously nice the entire school couldn't help but let it rub off on them.

Yes, but where did Al get his kindness streak from?

The Kingston Trio.

In my experience, people who are abused often show great empathy towards others, especially those who are suffering. So maybe Murry's beatings and intimidation also caused the kindness.

But this is a silly question and all too much like armchair psychology for me.

Audree.

 :lol :lol :lol

Of course we've all read the famous Murry letter in which he basically said Audree raised their sons like they were girls.  The old coot seemed to think that his wife ruined Brian, Dennis and Carl by going too easy on them and not allowing him (Murry) to discipline them as harshly as he'd like.

Amazing the effect that the Great Depression had on men from that era. I knew many a friend's fathers who thought like that, as well as my own.

I wonder if Murry, at any point in his life, ever realized that he'd made some big mistakes as a parent. It did seem he was very quick to blame others.

I think without psychotherapy, that isn't likely to happen if Murry thought there wasn't any reason to feel culpable about his behaviour.

Man, imagine what THAT would have been like...I shudder to think!