Bad mothers in literature. You’ve also just paid another therapist’s bill.
Bad mothers in literature The aim of this study is to describe the image of the mother in contemporary works . Role model mothers. A quick google search yielded an astonishing number of results that ranged from the very simple: “ Good moms care, bad ones don’t ” to the slightly more complex list involving neglect, putting one’s self or husband before the kids, not learning from May 12, 2018 · It’s Mother’s Day. ” Sexuality, selfishness, and cruelty seem to be tied closely together for the “bad” mothers in the selected YA literature. May 11, 2018 · Between obsessive and controlling moms to absent and uncaring mothers, there are some bad mamas in literature we can’t stop reading about. Most controlling: Mrs Bennet, Pride and Prejudice Jane May 6, 2016 · No matter what, these bad mothers allow literature to do what it does best: investigate the ways in which humans affect each other. May 8, 2015 · For Mother’s Day, we asked BBC Culture readers for the literary matriarchs to love and hate. Career Mother Archetype; Virgin Mother Archetype Jun 9, 2018 · Hadley puts mothers into categories of "good" and "bad" mothers based on whether their actions are "nurturing" or "destructive". Wormwood is a bad mom in part because she’s distracted by watching television. com: Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture: 9781498516471: Seidel, Linda: Books Mar 26, 2017 · Mothers in books, just as they do in real life, come in all shapes and sizes. The "Bad Mother" in Law and Literature: A Problem of Representation (PDF) The "Bad Mother" in Law and Literature: A Problem of Representation Academia. One example of this stereotype can be found in the character of Mrs. To mark this day here’s a list of the good, the bad and the decidedly horrid mothers in literature. Throughout the selected YA literature, a mother who expresses a desire to have her own identity supersede her identity as a mother was coded as destructive or “bad. in literature: they are already imbued with nurturing characteristics, patience, empathy, and selflessness. Select search scope, currently: catalog all catalog, articles, website, & more in one search; catalog books, media & more in the Stanford Libraries' collections; articles+ journal articles & other e-resources Dec 1, 2023 · My research explores how the representation of women in literature has been shaped by women’s shifting roles in society. I hope some of them inspire you to create memorable mothers in the books you write. Also, Sang spends most of her time in her bedroom, with only her books and CDs to keep her company. For a six-month period, I had a depressive episode so acute I don’t remember much of my daughter’s second year. May 8, 2020 · A rather non-traditional mom, Daenerys is the Mother of Dragons in George R. You’ve also just paid another therapist’s bill. edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. Readers of the New Testament often encounter quotes or allusions to the Old Testament that may be unfamiliar or obscure—in this volume, G K Beale and D A Carson have brought together a distinguished team of scholars to isolate, catalog, and comment on both the obvious Old Testament quotations and the more subtle allusions found in the New Testament. You’ve sent the flowers, the card and even the box of chocolates. Longlisted for the 2006 Women’s Prize for Fiction. In 1975, Paul and Roz Mellow write a bestselling Joy of Sex-type book that mortifies their four school-aged children and ultimately changes the shape of the family forever. Her love a barren land, A life forever dim. She had all the bearings of a doting mother, a woman who wanted to stay at home and cook and bear a child, but was A long tradition of bad mothers thus shapes contemporary mothering practices (and the way we view them), including the murderous Medea of Greek mythology, the power-hungry Queen Gertrude of Hamlet, and the emasculating mother of Freud’s theories. Cathy Ames in East of Eden by John Steinbeck Bad mother’s in life and literature, be they narcissistic, abusive, borderline or abandoning flag All Votes Add Books To This List. , exterior, is made of gingerbread and candy, but who in reality eats little children. She argues that the "bad mother" archetype influences the legal practitioner and shapes the attorney-client relationship. Here are three of each, as chosen by you. Her mom doesn’t make them dinner or anything else, for that matter, and on top of that, she punishes Sang in the most unimaginable and creative ways. Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture by Linda Seidel (2013-05-09) Feb 9, 2022 · This literature, despite granting the mothers their right to sorrow and quirk, often did not lend them greater independence. That's not great but it's better than being deliberately outright abusive, as some literary mothers are. Whether she’s a good or bad mother has been debated, but there’s no doubt she’s her hands full raising these little monsters. But you know, it’s the bad mothers in books who often make the novels they’re in really catch our attention, isn’t it? The worse the better! Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov … UC Law SF Scholarship Repository | UC Law SF Research Select search scope, currently: catalog all catalog, articles, website, & more in one search; catalog books, media & more in the Stanford Libraries' collections; articles+ journal articles & other e-resources Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture by Linda Seidel (2013-05-09) on Amazon. She’s had her hands full raising these fiery children. May 9, 2013 · Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture, by Linda Seidel, explores the cultural construction of the bad mother in books, movies, and TV shows, arguing that these portrayals typically have the effect of cementing dominant assumptions about motherhood in place—or, less often, of disrupting those assumptions, causing us to ask In her Article Professor Ashe explores the model of the "bad," or "unfit," mother in law and literature-the woman whose reckless or murderous behaviors threaten or destroy her children. What happens Jan 14, 2018 · A calm, patient and kind mother provides little that is unexpected or unusual. e. Here are eight of the worst—be thankful they aren’t your own. 1. Across this 5-week Blast Course, we will focus on five topics: 1) “Introducing the ‘Bad Mother,’” across fiction and history; 2) the ideal of the “Angel in the House”; 3) the horror of the “Monster/Mother”; 4) the question of whether “A Mother’s Work” is ever done; and 5) looking at the present and future of “Mothers If you log in through your library or institution you might have access to this article in multiple languages. In her poem "Mother," Plath explores the complex relationship she had with her own mother, who she portrays as a domineering and oppressive figure. The A mother archetype does not mean that the character is ideal, and it is the same in every literary piece. 1M While the image or construct of the “good mother" has been the focus of many research projects, the “bad mother," as a discursive construct, and also Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture, by Linda Seidel, explores the cultural construction of the bad mother in books, movies, and TV shows, arguing that these portrayals typically have the effect of cementing dominant assumptions about motherhood in place-or, less often, of Didn’t she deserve to be happy, too?” (p. Sylvia Plath is known for her raw, confessional poetry that delves into the depths of human emotion. The negative archetype of a bad mother is also fully formed: bad mothers are easily recognized by their destructive, selfish, and detached parenting. Mrs March: Little Women by Louisa M May 5, 2025 · The one kind of literature in which mother comes up short is literature itself. Bad mothers Drawing together the work of prominent scholars and journalists, "Bad" Mothers considers such diverse topics as the mother-blaming theories of psychological and medical "experts," bad mothers in the popular media, the scapegoating of mothers in politics, and the punitive approach to "bad" mothers by social service and legal authorities. " So moms out there, don't feel bad about sleep-training. "Mother" by Sylvia Plath. She challenges prevailing interpretations of "zealous advocacy" and discusses the way in Aug 15, 2016 · Literature has a mom problem. In these dense and startling stories, Maya Sonenberg telescopes seasons, decades, and generations in candid depictions of women’s family lives. The Evil Queen from Grimms' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs May 7, 2022 · The problem started with trying to define “bad mother” which, of course, varies significantly according to who is doing the defining. An example is the witch in the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, whose house, i. Promises unkept, Harsh words fill the air. Bennet in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” who is depicted as frivolous and May 3, 2022 · The archetypal evil mother (or stepmother) is a staple of the fairytale realm which is where a few of these villainesses come from. A cruel, conniving mother is far more interesting, distorting a social, and even biological, norm. ” This archetype is often portrayed as cold, neglectful, or even abusive towards her children. And we dug deep. I think of her, guiltily, between the hours of 5pm and 7pm Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture, by Linda Seidel, explores the cultural construction of the bad mother in books, movies, and TV shows, arguing that these portrayals typically have the effect of cementing dominant assumptions about motherhood in place—or, less often, of disrupting those assumptions, causing us to ask Mar 30, 2015 · Amazon. Long before the “girl” in the title crime books era, there were some of the creepiest mothers you’ll ever read about. Certainly, there are mother who cause harm, inflict abuse, act monstrously. May 9, 2013 · Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture, by Linda Seidel, explores the cultural construction of the bad mother in books, movies, and TV shows, arguing that these portrayals typically have the effect of cementing dominant assumptions about motherhood in place—or, less often, of disrupting those assumptions, causing us to ask May 11, 2025 · These Literary Bad Moms Can Help (Exclusive) Mrs. 21). Mediated maternity : contemporary American portrayals of bad mothers in literature and popular culture May 4, 2023 · The Good Mother can, for example, be associated with an infantile ego and then be typical for a negative-development situation. Iwas once what literature might depict as a bad mother. Researchers note the evolution of the image, its destruction in the postmodern era, and the relevance of the bad mother image in contemporary English-language works. Patience, empathy, selflessness, unconditional love — those are the special virtues of motherhood. It could be an ideal mother in one literary representation but could not be the same in all literary pieces. In the book, a mother Literature is filled with wonderful mothers – Ma Ingalls in all the Little House books, Marmee in Little Women, the tormented Sophie Zawistowski in Sophie’s Choice. But you know, it’s the bad mothers in books who often make the novels they’re in really catch our attention, isn’t it? “What Is Incomprehensible”:: The Myth of Maternal Omniscience and the Judgment of Maternal Culpability in Sue Klebold’s A Mother’s Reckoning and Monique Lépine’s Aftermath Download; XML; Monster Mothers and Mother Monsters from Dracula to Stranger Things Download; XML Mar 27, 2014 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Because archetypal motherhood in literature is fraught with May 12, 2023 · Reminded during my struggles of the bad mothers in literature I have come across over the years, I was moved in my work as an English professor to design a course around books that traffic in the Apr 22, 2025 · Another common stereotype of motherhood in literature is the idea of the “bad mother. You may be inspiring Apr 4, 2025 · In Western literature, the image of the mother is never neutral; its position is always relative to the “good mother / bad mother” opposition. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. 1: Carrie by. It is difficult to imagine a better mother in a worse situation than in The Room. Hadley has mentioned in her paper that one characteristic of a good “Bad Mothers makes a significant contribution to understanding how the constructed ‘dangerous mother’ continues to trouble major institutional areas such as law, governance, economy, and child protection services in ways that reveal why our society remains invested in marginalizing mothers instead of seriously addressing the numerous, interconnecting obstacles they face in raising Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture by Seidel, Linda (2013) Hardcover [Linda Seidel] on Amazon. At least two of them suffered from severe depression and were merely negligent as a result. May 14, 2023 · Ode to bad mothers 2023-05-14 - By Alicia Andrzejewski Alicia Andrzejewski is an assistant professor of English at the College of William and Mary. If you Apr 28, 2016 · There’s no doubt that the Lisbon parents had their hands full. With five daughters — 13-year-old Cecilia, 14-year-old Lux, 15-year-old Bonnie, 16-year-old Mary, and 17-year-old Therese May 11, 2014 · This year, I decided to list the 15 most memorable mothers from the books I’ve read. Mediated maternity : contemporary American portrayals of bad mothers in literature and popular culture Jul 8, 2019 · Besides being ill and always in bed, Sang’s mother is cruel to her, but not to her sister. Typically, the bad mothers in children's literature are cruel replacements for the "real" mother, but not always. But c’mon she wasn’t that bad a mother. Jan 28, 2022 · Literature is the only respite from all these idealized versions of motherhood. In honor of Mother’s Day, here is a list of mothers so terrible, they’ll make you want to call up your own mom and thank her as soon as possible. Specifically, if you are a mother in literature, chances are you are either scenery with few defining characteristics aside from being another character’s mom, or a May 9, 2014 · You have to be pretty horrible to be considered the worst mother in Greek literature, but by killing her own sons, Medea earned that title, making her pretty much the original horrible mom in Jun 1, 2021 · American literature -- 21st century -- History and criticism, Mothers in literature, Motherhood in literature, Mothers in motion pictures, Mothers on television Publisher Lanham : Lexington Books Collection internetarchivebooks; inlibrary; printdisabled Contributor Internet Archive Language English Item Size 303. com. Stephen King May 10, 2013 · In the world of bad mothers in literature, the bad stepmother is an evil unto itself, perhaps because there was not a maternal birthing, but the woodcutter’s wife is the worst mother figure around. [If you’re looking for help creating characters, read: The 4 Main Characters As Literary Devices and use these: 9 Useful Character Questionnaires For Writers] The 15 Most Jun 16, 2017 · Literature is filled with wonderful mothers – Ma Ingalls in all the Little House books, Marmee in Little Women, the tormented Sophie Zawistowski in Sophie’s Choice. Rocky’s kids are almost fully grown, but not quite, her parents are getting older faster than she would like and she is experiencing all the joys of menopause. Jun 4, 2024 · The Bad Mother In shadows, she stands, A figure cold and grim. A lot of these mothers don't seem like the absolute worst mothers in literature. Examples of Poems About Bad Mothers 1. Martin’s wildly popular fantasy series. Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture by Seidel, Linda (2013) Hardcover Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mediated Maternity : Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture by Linda Seidel (2015, Trade Paperback) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mediated Maternity : Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Culture by Linda Seidel (2013, Hardcover) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Linda Seidel Mediated Maternity: Contemporary American Portrayals of Bad Mothers in Literature and Popular Cultur Lexington Books/Fortress Academic; Lexington Books Apr 17, 2025 · Plot. Some epitomise wisdom; love and thoughtfulness; others, well shall we say, reflect less desirable qualities. Mira’s mother in Rheea Mukherjee’s The Body Myth, for example, chose melancholy over loving Mira. Apr 1, 2013 · Ask any woman to name a great mother from literature, and she will tell you — without even blinking — "Marmee. Rocky and her family have gone to a rental in Cape Cod for 20 years. Mothers are human. Through its portrayal of bad mothers, incompetent mothers, neglectful mothers, and mothers who are literal threats to the lives of their children, literature truly captures motherhood in all its glory or lack thereof. In The Position we see how the career choice of parents can have a lasting impact on their children. R. Of course, all literary mothers are not unkind and neglectful. Motherhood remains a key tenet of women’s representation in literature, and being a ‘good mother’ remains the role to which all women are encouraged to aspire – alongside finding a romantic (male) partner and becoming a wife. Therefore, there are types of mother archetype characters as follows. 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