History Main / JacobAndEsau

** According to Mama Petrelli, Nathan [[LikeFatherLikeSon takes after his father]] but Peter [[MommasBoy was always her favourite]]. Of course, Mama Petrelli's a [[ManipulativeBastard lying bitch]] who [[PersonOfMassDestruction wanted Peter to explode]], and her husband's a [[BigBad total monster]] who [[OffingTheOffspring tried to have Nathan murdered]]. Clearly favouritism is a relative thing among the Petrellis.

** According to Mama Petrelli, Nathan [[LikeFatherLikeSon takes after his father]] but Peter [[MommasBoy was always her favourite]]. Of course, Mama Petrelli's a [[ManipulativeBastard lying bitch]] who [[PersonOfMassDestruction wanted Peter to explode]], and her husband's a [[BigBad complete monster]] who [[OffingTheOffspring tried to have Nathan murdered]]. Clearly favouritism is a relative thing among the Petrellis.

* In ''Literature/MidnightTides'', book five of the ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', there are the Beddict brothers, and although their parent are long dead by the start of the book comparisons are drawn InUniverse. The oldest brother, Hull, and the youngest, Brys, both take after their father; Hull in personality, especially their father's weaknesses, and Brys in the physical aspects, to the point of being their father's spitting image in martial ability and looks, apparently. The middle son, Tehol, on the other hand, is a gender-flipped version of their mother, especially in regards to personality and brains. He even comments on how there is no need to keep alive their parents' memory, as there are walking, talking versions of them still around.

** Jon's resemblance to ned causes Catelyn some amount of angst, at least before [[FromBadToWorse other concerns rear their head]]: Jon is the only son who bears the Stark look and takes after Ned, yet he's the illegitimate one. [[spoiler:[[FamilyRelationshipSwitcheroo Or maybe not]] .]]

On the other hand, a family like this may be perfectly happy if each child is content to be one parent's favourite. And - [[TruthInTelevision as so often happens]] - the children may well be closer to each other than to ''either'' parent.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', the Stark children all physically take after one of their parents. Arya takes after Ned, and Robb, Sansa, Bran, and Rickon all take after Catelyn. Personality-wise, only Robb really takes after either of the parents - he takes after Ned. (Jon both looks and acts like Ned, but isn't Cat's son.)
** This causes Catelyn some amount of angst, at least before [[FromBadToWorse other concerns rear their head]]: Jon is the only son who takes after Ned physically, yet he's the illegitimate one. [[spoiler: [[FamilyRelationshipSwitcheroo Or maybe not]] .]]
** While she doesn't resemble her mother personality-wise, Sansa seems to be the only one of the Stark children to be more culturally oriented towards the Riverlands that her mother came from, delighting in the graces of court (until everything goes to pot) and identifying more with the Faith of the Seven than with the religion of the Old Gods that's popular in the North. Of course, she and Arya are the only two children who spend a significant amount of time at court in the South, and Arya ends up going on a [[StartOfDarkness rather different kind of journey]] by the beginning of the second book...

* John Steinbeck's ''EastOfEden'' relies heavily on the Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau motif throughout its entirety. There are two sets of brothers: Adam and Charles and then Aron and Cal (sons of Adam and a crazy maniacal whore named Cathy). Adam and Aron = Jacob/Abel, Charles and Cal = Esau/Cain. Adam and Aron are good boys who take after their dads. Charles and Cal are more...unstable and tend to flirt with evil, taking after their mothers.

* The prototypical example, at least in western culture, is probably Jacob and Esau from the Literature/BookOfGenesis. They are twins, but Esau, the elder brother, is favoured by his father, while Jacob is his mother's favourite. They are very different, too; Esau is [[ARealManIsAKiller a great hunter]] and sports a CarpetOfVirility, and Jacob is good at [[RealMenWearPink cooking and stuff like that, and not hairy at all]]. The latter two even [[WigDressAccent conspire successfully]] to cheat [[WildHair Esau]] out of his inheritance, even though it ends up fulfilling what God had said about the sons, that "the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob]". [[labelnote:*]]Esau's alienation does not last forever; the two brothers made peace years later. Furthermore, Esau's descendants are the Edomites, and Jacob's descendants are the Israelites (including the Jews). During the Secunda period of Judaea, the Edomites become part of the Jewish people and share their inheritance again.[[/labelnote]]

* The prototypical example, at least in western culture, is probably Jacob and Esau from {{Literature/The Bible}}. They are twins, but Esau, the elder brother, is favoured by his father, while Jacob is his mother's favourite. They are very different, too; Esau is [[ARealManIsAKiller a great hunter]] and sports a CarpetOfVirility, and Jacob is good at [[RealMenWearPink cooking and stuff like that, and not hairy at all]]. The latter two even [[WigDressAccent conspire successfully]] to cheat [[WildHair Esau]] out of his inheritance, even though it ends up fulfilling what God had said about the sons, that "the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob]". [[labelnote:*]]Esau's alienation does not last forever; the two brothers made peace years later. Furthermore, Esau's descendants are the Edomites, and Jacob's descendants are the Israelites (including the Jews). During the Secunda period of Judaea, the Edomites become part of the Jewish people and share their inheritance again.[[/labelnote]]

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'' has a subtle example where [[TheSnarkKnight Daria]] and [[BumblingDad Jake]] seem particularly close while [[ParentsAsPeople Helen]] bonds more easily with [[LovableLibby Quinn]]. However, Helen in particular still manages to help Daria on several occasions (generally more competently than Jake, if not quite as easy-going).
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' does this with Bart mirroring Homer's lazier, more irresponsible attitude and Lisa closer to Marge's responsible nature (including nigh-identical disapproving sounds). This is often particularly highlighted in episodes where the parents spend time with the "opposite" child (Bart and Marge or Lisa and Homer)

* ''{{Daria}}'' has a subtle example where [[TheSnarkKnight Daria]] and [[BumblingDad Jake]] seem particularly close while [[ParentsAsPeople Helen]] bonds more easily with [[LovableLibby Quinn]]. However, Helen in particular still manages to help Daria on several occasions (generally more competently than Jake, if not quite as easy-going).

* On ''{{Roseanne}}'' Dan's favorite is Darlene, while the title character is closer to Becky. They spend an episode trying to switch and each form a closer relationship with the other daughter. When everything blows up in their faces, they agree to go back to the way things were.

->''The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.''
-->--Literature/BookOfGenesis 25:27-28

* The prototypical example, at least in western culture, is probably Jacob and Esau from {{Literature/The Bible}}. They are twins, but Esau, the elder brother, is favoured by his father, while Jacob is his mother's favourite. The latter two even [[WigDressAccent conspire successfully]] to cheat [[WildHair Esau]] out of his inheritance, even though it ends up fulfilling what God had said about the sons, that "the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob]". [[labelnote:*]]Esau's alienation does not last forever; the two brothers made peace years later. Furthermore, Esau's descendants are the Edomites, and Jacob's descendants are the Israelites (including the Jews). During the Secunda period of Judaea, the Edomites become part of the Jewish people and share their inheritance again.[[/labelnote]]

* In ''Literature/MidnightTides'', book five of the ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', there are the Beddict brothers, and although their parent are long dead by the start of the book comparisons are drawn InUniverse. The oldest brother, Hull, and the youngest, Brys, both take after their father; Hull in personality, especially their father's weaknesses, and Brys in the physical aspects, to the point of being their father's spitting image in martial ability and looks, apparently. The middle son, Tehol, on the other hand, is a gender-flipped version of their mother, especially in regards to personality and brains.

%%Note to editors: sometimes on this page you will see the word "favorite", and sometimes you will see the word "favourite". The former is considered a legitimate spelling in the United States; the latter is used everywhere else. On this wiki, both are considered equally valid. Please do not "correct" them from one to the other. Use whichever one you're comfortable with, and respect others' right to do the same.

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[[AC:Live-Action T.V.]]
* ''{{Series/Heroes}}'':

[[AC:Mythology & Religion]]

[[AC:Theatre]]

[[AC:Western Animation]]

* ''{{Daria}}'' has a subtle example where [[TheSnarkKnight Daria]] and [[BumblingDad Jake]] seem particularly close while [[ParentsAsPeople Helen]] bonds more easily with [[LovableLibby Quinn]]. However, Helen in particular still manages to help Daria on several occasions (generally more competently than Jake, if not quite as easy-going).

[[AC:Real Life]]

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* In ''ModernFamily'', Mitchell always considered himself closer to his mother, while Claire felt closer to their father.

These tend to go hand-in-hand, but not always. Sometimes, even when parents strive to be impartial, they still find that each child is more like one parent than the other. Conversely, taking after a parent is no guarantee of being that parent's favorite; it may even have the opposite effect.

May lead to accusations of ParentalFavoritism, or to each child feeling like one parent's [[TheUnfavorite Unfavorite]]. Can lead to SiblingRivalry and even CainAndAbel, particularly when the parents are at odds with each other. May contribute to MiddleChildSyndrome if there are more than two children.

* Thor and Loki in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: At least in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', it is implied that Frigga preferred Loki while Odin favored Thor.

** According to Mama Petrelli, Nathan [[LikeFatherLikeSon takes after his father]] but Peter [[MommasBoy was always her favorite]]. Of course, Mama Petrelli's a [[ManipulativeBastard lying bitch]] who [[PersonOfMassDestruction wanted Peter to explode]], and her husband's a [[BigBad complete monster]] who [[OffingTheOffspring tried to have Nathan murdered]]. Clearly favoritism is a relative thing among the Petrellis.

These tend to go hand-in-hand, but not always. Sometimes, even when parents strive to be impartial, they still find that each child is more like one parent than the other. Conversely, taking after a parent is no guarantee of being that parent's favourite; it may even have the opposite effect.

May lead to accusations of ParentalFavouritism, or to each child feeling like one parent's [[TheUnfavourite Unfavourite]]. Can lead to SiblingRivalry and even CainAndAbel, particularly when the parents are at odds with each other. May contribute to MiddleChildSyndrome if there are more than two children.

* Thor and Loki in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: At least in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', it is implied that Frigga preferred Loki while Odin favoured Thor.

* John Steinbeck's ''EastOfEden'' relies heavily on the Cain/Abel, Jacob/Esau motif throughout its entirety. There are two sets of brothers: Adam and Charles and then Aron and Cal (sons of Adam and a crazy maniacal whore named Cathy). Adam and Aron = Jacob/Abel, Charles and Cal = Esau/Cain. Adam and Aron are good boys who take after their dads. Charles and Cal are more... unstable and tend to flirt with evil, taking after their mothers.

** According to Mama Petrelli, Nathan [[LikeFatherLikeSon takes after his father]] but Peter [[MommasBoy was always her favourite]]. Of course, Mama Petrelli's a [[ManipulativeBastard lying bitch]] who [[PersonOfMassDestruction wanted Peter to explode]], and her husband's a [[BigBad complete monster]] who [[OffingTheOffspring tried to have Nathan murdered]]. Clearly favouritism is a relative thing among the Petrellis.

# Each parent is closer to or favors a different child.

These tend to go hand-in-hand, but not always. Sometimes, even when parents strive to be impartial, they still find that each child is more like one parent than the other. Conversely, taking after a parent is no guarantee of being that parent's favorite; it may even have the opposite effect.

May lead to accusations of ParentalFavoritism, or to each child feeling like one parent's [[TheUnfavorite Unfavorite]]. Can lead to SiblingRivalry and even CainAndAbel, particularly when the parents are at odds with each other. May contribute to MiddleChildSyndrome if there are more than two children.

On the other hand, a family like this may be perfectly happy if each child is content to be one parent's favorite. And - [[TruthInTelevision as so often happens]] - the children may well be closer to each other than to ''either'' parent.

* Thor and Loki in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: At least in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', it is implied that Frigga preferred Loki while Odin favored Thor.

** According to Mama Petrelli, Nathan [[LikeFatherLikeSon takes after his father]] but Peter [[MommasBoy was always her favorite]]. Of course, Mama Petrelli's a [[ManipulativeBastard lying bitch]] who [[PersonOfMassDestruction wanted Peter to explode]], and her husband's a [[BigBad complete monster]] who [[OffingTheOffspring tried to have Nathan murdered]]. Clearly favoritism is a relative thing among the Petrellis.

* The prototypical example, at least in western culture, is probably Jacob and Esau from {{Literature/The Bible}}. They are twins, but Esau, the elder brother, is favored by his father, while Jacob is his mother's favorite. The latter two even [[WigDressAccent conspire successfully]] to cheat [[WildHair Esau]] out of his inheritance, even though it ends up fulfilling what God had said about the sons, that "the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob]". [[labelnote:*]]Esau's alienation does not last forever; the two brothers made peace years later. Furthermore, Esau's descendants are the Edomites, and Jacob's descendants are the Israelites (including the Jews). During the Secunda period of Judaea, the Edomites become part of the Jewish people and share their inheritance again.[[/labelnote]]

* Glynn and Ember from Isobelle Carmody's 'Legendsong Saga'. Glynn is much closer to her father while Eber takes after her mother in both looks and talents. It is mentioned that their mother didn't really want children at all, and is only able to love Ember because they are so similar. Strongly influences Glynn's personality.

# Each parent is closer to or favours a different child.

These tend to go hand-in-hand, but not always. Sometimes, even when parents strive to be impartial, they still find that each child is more like one parent than the other. Conversely, taking after a parent is no guarantee of being that parent's favourite; it may even have the opposite effect.

May lead to accusations of ParentalFavouritism, or to each child feeling like one parent's [[TheUnfavourite Unfavourite]]. Can lead to SiblingRivalry and even CainAndAbel, particularly when the parents are at odds with each other. May contribute to MiddleChildSyndrome if there are more than two children.

On the other hand, a family like this may be perfectly happy if each child is content to be one parent's favourite. And - [[TruthInTelevision as so often happens]] - the children may well be closer to each other than to ''either'' parent.

* Thor and Loki in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: At least in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', it is implied that Frigga preferred Loki while Odin favoured Thor.

** According to Mama Petrelli, Nathan [[LikeFatherLikeSon takes after his father]] but Peter [[MommasBoy was always her favourite]]. Of course, Mama Petrelli's a [[ManipulativeBastard lying bitch]] who [[PersonOfMassDestruction wanted Peter to explode]], and her husband's a [[BigBad complete monster]] who [[OffingTheOffspring tried to have Nathan murdered]]. Clearly favouritism is a relative thing among the Petrellis.

* The prototypical example, at least in western culture, is probably Jacob and Esau from {{Literature/The Bible}}. They are twins, but Esau, the elder brother, is favoured by his father, while Jacob is his mother's favourite. The latter two even [[WigDressAccent conspire successfully]] to cheat [[WildHair Esau]] out of his inheritance, even though it ends up fulfilling what God had said about the sons, that "the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob]". [[labelnote:*]]Esau's alienation does not last forever; the two brothers made peace years later. Furthermore, Esau's descendants are the Edomites, and Jacob's descendants are the Israelites (including the Jews). During the Secunda period of Judaea, the Edomites become part of the Jewish people and share their inheritance again.[[/labelnote]]

* The prototypical example, at least in western culture, is probably Jacob and Esau from {{Literature/The Bible}}. They are twins, but Esau, the elder brother, is favoured by his father, while Jacob is his mother's favourite. The latter two even [[WigDressAccent conspire successfully]] to cheat [[WildHair Esau]] out of his inheritance. [[labelnote:*]]Esau's alienation does not last forever; the two brothers made peace years later. Furthermore, Esau's descendants are the Edomites, and Jacob's descendants are the Israelites (including the Jews). During the Secunda period of Judaea, the Edomites become part of the Jewish people and share their inheritance again.[[/labelnote]]

->[[Literature/TheBible - Genesis 25:27-28]]

* ''TheSimpsons'' does this with Bart mirroring Homer's lazier, more irresponsible attitude and Lisa closer to Marge's responsible nature (including nigh-identical disapproving sounds). This is often particularly highlighted in episodes where the parents spend time with the "opposite" child (Bart and Marge or Lisa and Homer)

* TruthInTelevision. According to this [[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2094371-1,00.html article in Time]], research shows that parents do have favorites even if they will never admit that they do.

* [[{{Film/Thor}} Thor and Loki]]. At least in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', it's implied that Frigga preferred Loki, while Odin seems to have favoured Thor.

* In ''ASongOfIceAndFire'', the Stark children all physically take after one of their parents. Arya takes after Ned, and Robb, Sansa, Bran, and Rickon all take after Catelyn. Personality-wise, only Robb really takes after either of the parents - he takes after Ned. (Jon both looks and acts like Ned, but isn't Cat's son.)