Quiz bowl: May 2007, Who's your literary momma?
This year, we've read a number of books that had interesting Mother characters - like the one in Running with Scissors that gave her son to her psychiatrist, or the mother in What We Keep who left her children behind, or the mother in Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time who left her special needs child because it was too much for her - not exactly role models. In contrast, I know many of your mothers personally, and they are good, strong women, many of whom helped to form our love of reading. In fact, there are three mother/daughter groups in this book club - me and my mom, Amy and Peggy, Jenine/Julia and Marcia. In several of the Trifecta profiles, several of you have mentioned books that you look forward to sharing with your own children.
With motherhood on your mind and Mother's Day fast approaching, think about the literary "mother" characters that you really remember. The ones that made an impact on your memory - the good, the bad, and the really ugly. Tell me - who's your literary momma?
Good question!
One interesting mother character is the mom in Jane Hamilton's "Map of the World." This is the mom who had a friend's child drown in her pond while she was babysitting. If this isn't a mother's worst nightmere of what can happen if you drop the ball, I don't know what is. She is a mother's cautionary tale, reminding you that your child might aspirate on a Cheerio at any given moment, so pay attention!
My favorite literary momma, is the main character in Anne Tyler's "Back When We Were Grown-ups." Technically, she is a stepmother, but I love her quietly unflappable sense of responsibility and dedication to her stepchildren and stepgrandchildren, all the while maintaining this interesting internal life separate from her demanding kids. She is the momma most like my own, so maybe that's why I like her.
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I've been thinking about this question for awhile, and pulled out two books intending to do a bit of research before posting my response to this question. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the chance to actually do that... so instead I'll have to rely on my poor book reading memory on this one.
Viviane Abbott Walker/Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood: One of the most memorable momma's you love and hate at the same time. She made a lot of mistakes, but had the good sense to choose some good friends who could and would step in when help was needed.
Marilla/Matthew Cuthbert/Anne of Green Gables: The adoptive parents of Anne Shirley, Marilla and Matthew combined created the perfect momma for Anne. Marilla embodied the tough side while Matthew provided the softer side. It's hard not to love them both.
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Jennie....just one more weird vibe from your mother... I also thought of these 2 mothers when thinking about literary mommas, but had not had the chance to write about it!!!! Also...what do you think about the mother bird in "Are You My Mother"? Was she careless and neglectful of her baby?
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