When I read this I separate this time period we're currently in to the one in this story. By the characters standards freckles and darker skin are considered ugly, which we all know they aren't. I mean even in our own country people did think these features were ugly, and now people are coveting them. Sadly some folks still think this way. But I try to read this story with an open mind.
Okay, that took a turn, but that just proves how awful that family is. There will be retribution.