Mothers in Literature

An interactive flipbook

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Mothers in Literature

The nursery rhyme “There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe” has been a staple of English children’s folklore for centuries. The earliest printed version appeared in Mother Goose’s Melody in 1765, though it likely circulated orally for years before. The rhyme’s central theme of an old woman living in a cramped shoe, struggling to manage her large family has been interpreted to symbolise a tiny home, with the numerous children of the 18th century emphasising the difficulties of limited resources. The figure of the old woman highlights the role of women as caregivers, though exaggerated for comic effect.

From the stern and stoic to the warm and whimsical, mothers in literature come in many forms, each etched into a reader’s memory with vivid distinction. Whether guiding their children with unwavering principle or faltering under the weight of societal expectation, these maternal figures reflect the values, struggles, and aspirations of their time. Through their stories, we encounter the nurturing strength of Marmee March, the tragic fragility of Anna Karenina, and the ambitious intensity of Mrs Bennet—each offering a unique glimpse into the complex heart of motherhood as imagined by some of literature’s greatest minds.

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  • My selection of the best and worst mothers that appear in novels and short stories.
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A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” — Agatha Christie