Who Sir Thomas Bertram is
He is formal and serious about his duties, offering support without making himself easy to approach.
His daughters learn to please him on the surface because they fear his authority.
What Sir Thomas Bertram wants
Sir Thomas wants an orderly, respectable family whose children are well educated and well behaved. When Tom's debts reduce the money intended for Edmund, he must cover the cost.
His concern for Fanny does not mean he understands her choices or trusts her judgement. He regards Henry Crawford as a desirable husband for her and reacts angrily when she refuses him.
Sir Thomas Bertram and the others in the story
Sir Thomas's journey to Antigua removes the watchful authority that usually governs the household. During his absence, the young people arrange a private play that he would not approve.
His unexpected return brings the rehearsals to a halt, and he orders the theatre cleared away. The episode reveals how much his family's outward good behaviour depends on his presence.
Questions
Is Sir Thomas Bertram kind to Fanny?
He provides for Fanny and means well, but his sternness limits his understanding of her. He calls her ungrateful when she rejects Henry Crawford's proposal.
Why does Sir Thomas object to the play?
He disapproves of the private performance arranged in his absence. The chosen play contains scenes of love and an unmarried mother that conflict with his expectations for his daughters.