But the more I researched, the more I came across similar blog posts by women who found it odd that they should be stumped in forming a list. Is it because there are more villainous mothers, such as the evil stepmothers and queens of Disney classics? Or is it because many of our greatest heroines made their way in the world motherless or orphaned?
There are, of course, many famous women that are neither good, nor bad, but very complex, such as Sophie of Sophie’s Choice, Scarlett O’Hara and Angela McCourt of Angela’s Ashes. To categorize these women as one type of mother is impossible, just as saying that all of the following mothers are purely “good”. Nonetheless, here is a list of what we might call the most “memorable” mothers. Please add your own suggestions to the list!
Mrs. Bennet – Pride & Prejudice: "But I can assure you," she added, "that Lizzy does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man."
Mrs. Dashwood – Sense & Sensibility: [speaking to Edward Ferris] "You are in a melancholy humour and fancy that anyone unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by everybody at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience; or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope."
Margaret March (Marmee) – Little Women: "Money is a needful and precious thing,--and, when well used, a noble thing,--but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
Caroline Ingalls – Little House on the Prairie:
If wisdom’s ways you wisely seek,
Five things observe with care.
To whom you speak,
Of whom you speak,
And how, and when, and where. (1881)
Marilla Cuthbert – Anne of Green Gables: "Oh, Anne, I know I’ve been kind of strict and harsh with you maybe—but you musn’t think I didn’t love you as well as Matthew did, for all that. I want to tell you now when I can. It’s never been easy for me to say things out of my heart, but at times like this it’s easier. I love you as dear as if you were my own flesh and blood and you’ve been my joy and comfort ever since you came to Green Gables."
Janet King – Road to Avonlea: "Felicity, if you slam the door on every boy who puts his foot in his mouth, you'll need iron hinges."
Hetty King – Road to Avonlea: Olivia King [speaking to Hetty]: "I’m gonna miss you and Rose Cottage so much."
Hetty: "Rose Cottage isn’t going anywhere. It will always be there for you and so will I."
Molly Weasley – Harry Potter: "Beds empty! No note! Car gone - could have crashed - out of my mind with worry - did you care? - never, as long as I've lived - you wait until your father gets home..."
Mother – I Love You Forever: If all the lights in her son's house were out, she opened his bedroom window, crawled across the floor, and looked up over the side of his bed. If that great big man was really asleep she picked him up and rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she rocked him she sang:
I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.
Mrs. Darling – Peter Pan: Mrs. Darling: "There are many different kinds of bravery. There's the bravery of thinking of others before one’s self. Now, your father has never brandished a sword nor fired a pistol, thank heavens. But he has made many sacrifices for his family, and put away many dreams."
Michael: "Where did he put them?"
Mrs. Darling: "He put them in a drawer. And sometimes, late at night, we take them out and admire them. But it gets harder and harder to close the drawer... He does. And that is why he is brave."
