Berlot Brecht was born into a middle class family in, Bavaria. His masterpiece “Mother Courage” was written in 1941 during his stay in Sweden. The work was inspired by the invasion of Poland and was completed in 6 months. In this essay, I will be discussing a leading theme which is prominent throughout “mother courage”, motherhood. The character of Mother Courage herself, from my understanding is controversial, from one side; she constantly attempts to run her business from a canteen wagon to support her and the children during the times of war. From the other side, she is displayed as a person with a coldhearted business sense. She is also shown as the mother who failed to protect her children from the war.
Motherhood is the idea of giving birth, protecting and caring for one’s child. Mother courage’s children, Eilif, Swiss cheese & Kattrin, all come from various ethnicities, this goes to prove that mother courage is a sexually active woman with many partners. Mother courage’s characteristics are in great contrasts with her daughter’s, Kattrin is sexually inactive and wants a stable family, but her disabilities/disfigurements bar her from this dream, this difference emphasizes on the deeply contrasting characteristics of two of the main characters.
Kattrin has met amends to the fact that she will never be with the joy of having her own child, instead she devotes her love to the children she meets. This lack of experience of a genuine and proper motherhood could have
If she had a stable connection with her kids, she could be happy. But now, she talks about them as objects. She says “‘The world must reproduce, you know’” (92). She thinks of her children as a burden, and not as people. If she didn’t think of them this way, she could feel a connection between them and herself and feel
There is no going back from this moment on. She is no longer just her mother’s child-- she is a mom. Her baby’s mom. It is as if her whole world changed in a blink of an eye, but despite the rapid change, she embraces it. She loves her child to an extent only a mother can imagine possible.
It is the hope of many, in these situations. that the children can learn and create their own destiny. Much of their success relies on the belief that they can, a concept that often counts on supporting ideas and rhetoric. Although, Mary Louise Kelly handles the subject without much ado, and is especially considerate of the dynamics within Caroline’s adopted family, it is a point that deserves some clarification.
Trujillo's dictatorship, resulting in the revolution, influenced Patria's physical courage to truly show. By joining the revolution Patria's moral courage counteracted her fears and encouraged her to take a step towards making a change . Finally after getting her son taken, sacrificing herself showed what she would do for someone revealing her emotional courage. This novel puts a whole new perspective on courage by demonstrating different types of courage . Many different behaviors and beliefs can link to courage; bravery, fear, and even religious faith.
In order to fully understand the story it must be evaluated to show what lesson is to be learned from the reading. The story has an epiphany implemented into the writing which gives a new realization in the importance of this part. A major evaluation to this short story is to fully understand the main characters in it. One significant character in this story is Louise.
This novel, The Awakening, is about a woman named Edna Pontellier learns to think of herself as an independent human being. Also, Edna Pontellier refuses to obey against the social norms by leaving her husband Leónce Pontellier and having an affair with Robert Lebrun. Kate Chopin describes societal expectations and the battle of fitting the mold of motherhood in the Awakening by how Edna Pontellier and Adele Ratignolle contribute to their family in different ways. Edna Pontellier’s attitude toward motherhood is that she is not a perfect mother-women. Adele Ratignolle’s attitude toward motherhood is that she is a perfect mother-women.
Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin is about woman in the time of the Revolutionary War that were affected by this event. When writing this monograph, Berkin focuses on the Patriot and Loyalist, American and British, and Indian and African American women. When Berkin writes in this way she makes the war seem more diverse to different groups of women and families. Although, there was a mixture of women they had similar qualities about them the author made clear she appreciates. All the women were tough, physically and emotionally along with being brave.
The barrier between her and the neighbours after her husband’s death forced her to become reserved and quiet. Her and her son only went into town if they had to. They preferred to stay close to the garden where they felt safe. The death of the husband is the cause of the mothers’ complete change in character. The death let the audience connect with her on a deeper level to understand her pain and suffering.
In addition, the search for self-identity is viewed as important in today’s society. Thus, these confliction attributes lead the reader to identify Edna as morally ambiguous. Categorizing complex characters as purely good or purely evil is not one of the easiest of tasks. As a result, it is best to characterize them as morally ambiguous. In Edna’s case, she is morally ambiguous due to her romantic affiliations and role-defying actions, but both are immensely vital to Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” as a complete whole.
Within the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Madame Ratignolle’s character possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast the characteristics and behavior of Edna Pontellier. Despite being close friends within the novel, Adele and Edna have contrasting views and behaviors that illuminate the theme of female freedom and the tradition of female submission and male domination. Madame Ratignolle and Edna Pontellier are close friends, but their views toward raising children differ fundamentally. Madame Ratignolle would sacrifice her identity to devote herself entirely to her children, household, and husband, whereas Edna would not. Besides their views towards raising children, how they raise their children also differs.
At first glance, Madame Ratignolle and Mademoiselle Reisz are opposites to one another, but as Edna has yet to conclude, both are responsible for the decision of Edna longing to become a single woman again. A foil is defined as “a gauge by which to judge the behavior of both characters better by putting their actions into perspective,” according to the English Companion. In The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, written in 1899, the author presents the readers with a pair of foils. The contrast of Mademoiselle Reisz and Madame Ratignolle supports the theme of The Awakening by proving that women cannot obtain societal norms without the elimination of their independance. Madame Ratignolle is the textbook perfect mother.
In Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening” shows a controversial protagonist, Edna Pontellier. The character in the novel showed different expectations for women and their supposed roles. One literary critic, Megan Kaplon showed how this novel can be viewed as a struggle of the world or society around her. Edna in the story is trying to find freedom and individuality Kaplon mentions that “one of her most shocking actions was her denial of her role as a mother and wife.”
During the 1890’s until today, the roles of women and their rights have severely changed. They have been inferior, submissive, and trapped by their marriage. Women have slowly evolved into individuals that have rights and can represent “feminine individuality”. The fact that they be intended to be house-caring women has changed.
A woman with an independent nature can be described as rebellious, passionate, and courageous. In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening, the reader is introduced to Edna Pontellier, a female who epitomizes the qualities of a woman with such an independent nature. Living in a “patriarchal society” that expects women to be nothing more than devoted wives and nurturing mothers, Edna attempts to seek out her true identity as it becomes apparent how unsettled she feels about her life. Throughout The Awakening, Edna Pontellier, dissatisfied with her duties as a mother and wife, decides to pursue her own interests and express her true identity, resulting in an awakening and her finding the courage to make the changes she deems as necessary. Edna Pontellier had two young boys, Etienne and Raoul, who were ages four and five, respectively.
“A mother 's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” The wise words of Agatha Christie ring true for many across the world; the unconditional love a mother holds for her child. An instinct so powerful and caring, it does not allow for any interference or hindrance.