Mothers In Literature

Have you ever encountered that term The Mother Figure in Literature? It's actually one of the pillar characteristics of women in the feminist movement, and of course, there are other characterizations like the mother, the tramp, the goddess, the gold digger, and all other stereotypical figures that can be applied to women in literature.

But since Mother's Day is due next Sunday, here are just some inspiring reads, with strong mother characters in each. There might be mothers who will stop at nothing to protect their children, there might be selfless mothers, and there might be mothers who will murder their babies to escape a life of slavery. Read on for moving, heart-breaking mothers and if you know of which books might be added to this list, do leave a comment below by suggesting it.

Happy Mother's Day!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

In Stockett's book, the maids Minny, Constantine and Aibileen are all mothers, stuck in their day jobs as maids, raising white people's children and being paid measly wages a dime a day while they are forced to leave their own children behind. Not until Skeeter decides and asks their stories to be told for a writing project and her ticket to the Big Apple does the whole town of Jaskson, Mississippi turn upside down. 

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

Mothers have their own pasts and stories. Before growing resentment towards your own mother, learn of LuLing's sacrifices and pains before leaving China and leading a life in San Francisco. This is the story of the shocking chain of events, of a young Chinese girl's childhood and the woman who tried her best to raise her, and the circumstances which led her to bearing and rearing her own daughter Ruth.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

Having an artist for a mother may sound thrilling, especially if you are descendants of Vikings, with tough blood in your veins. But what happens when your mother commits murder and you are thrown in a series of foster homes, with a new set of mothers. How will you live in the present when you slowly learn of your past, and what was once believed to be love, turns out to be a protective shell of hiding the truth from you. 

 

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

A novel with monthly installments of recipes, here is a love story told with one mother who forbids it. What will you do if your very own mother prohibits the love that you so much desire? Tita takes matters into her own hands and plots and plans to get her beloved to return her affection. The question is, what will her mother do about it?

I'm currently reading Like Water for Chocolate. What will you be reading?