May 16 Top Ten Tuesday: Unforgettable Moms in Literature

the bookworm memes,

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First off, a belated Happy Mother’s Day to the moms. I hope you all enjoyed the special day this past Sunday. The pic of the roses here are the ones I bought for my mom. Onto TTT…

This week’s TTT topic is: Mother’s Day related Freebie: favorite moms in literature, books about motherhood, best mother/daughter or son relationships, books to buy your mom, worst moms in literature, etc. etc.

 

 

When I see moms in books, I tend to be able to relate to them. And when I see wicked moms in books, I think “Shame on her!” lol. My list is a mix of literary mothers who really stood out.

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Top 10 Unforgettable Moms in Literature

1. Molly Weasley from the Harry Potter Series

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If I had to pick one single favorite mom in all of literature, it would be Molly Weasley. She’s such a great literary mom, she even treats Harry Potter like he’s her own child. She takes care of everyone, she runs a household and also kicks butt. I loved it in she last book where she fought bravely and protected her family. Love her! Plus, she knits!

2. I have to mention Lily Potter from the HP series too

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The love that Lily Potter has for her son Harry is what saves his life and protects him. She continues to help him throughout his life even after her death. She appears to  him when he needs her the most.

3. Ma from Room by Emma Donoghue

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I haven’t read Room, but I watched the film with my daughter and it was an emotional one. What Ma endures for her son Jack is unthinkable and her strength was unfailing. She puts Jack’s welfare ahead of her own.

4. Wendy Torrance from The Shining by Stephen King

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Wendy is a flawed character in The Shining. She knows her husband Jack is abusive but she isn’t mentally strong enough to leave him at the start of the story. Then when she is stranded with Jack and their son Danny at the Overlook hotel, it occurs to her that she is in a life and death situation and she does everything in her power to protect Danny. She was weak at first then she becomes strong for her son.

5. Sethe from Beloved by Toni Morrison

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I both read and watched the movie Beloved. This is a powerful story about a mother who would rather that her children be dead than be sold into slavery. It is really an emotional story and Sethe is an unforgettable mother who does the unthinkable.

6. Marmee from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
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Marmee is a quiet but strong force behind the March family. She devotes herself to raising her daughters and tries to keep things running smoothly while her husband is away at war. Her family is the center of her life.

7. Edna Pontellier in The Awakening by Kate Chopin

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The Awakening is one of my favorite classics, I have read it a few times. It is just such a beautifully told story about a woman who realizes she isn’t living the life she wants. Edna is not like the moms on my list so far, she’s not thinking of her children any longer. This story makes for a great discussion. Have you read it?

8. Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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How annoying is Mrs. Bennet? I get that she’s trying to marry her daughters off to men who can support them but she needs a chill pill.

9. Allie Calhoun’s mom in The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

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I’ve watched and re-watched The Notebook the movie many times with my daughter, it is one of our favorites. The novel was good as well, but the movie is better. What Allie’s mom did that I always find unbelievable is that she hides a years worth of Noah’s love letters to Allie. Eventually, she gives them back to Allie but wow, like years later.

10. Donna Trenton from Cujo by Stephen King

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Donna is an unlikeable character, she’s having an affair, but at the end of the day she’s a good mom to her son Tad. She does everything she can to save his life. This is not my favorite King and I didn’t like that he made a dog the villain in the story but I found it highly readable and unforgettable nonetheless.

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That concludes my list of unforgettable literary moms. What are some of yours?

Enjoy your week!

37 thoughts on “May 16 Top Ten Tuesday: Unforgettable Moms in Literature”

  1. This is a great theme.

    I love the fact that you included two Stephan King novels. I would have never thought of Wendy from the shinning but she is a super choice.

    I also like the fact that you picked some very imperfect moms like Mrs. Bennet.

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  2. I’ve seen Mrs. Bennet on a few lists today, on both sides of the good/bad mom debate. Weirdly, she’s not one I even thought of. I really like that you picked out some unusual choices too, like The Shining and although I’ve not read The Awakening, I’m going to pick it up based on your rec. 🙂

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  4. Good choices. I find your selection of Edna to be fascinating. I read that book in a literature course on self-discovery in 1980. “Favorite” may not be my term. “Most perplexing” maybe. “Fascinating” certainly. Interesting choice!

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  7. I really liked the variety of moms on your list. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of two Stephen King characters I would never have thought of but fit perfectly with the theme. Great job.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. That’s a great TTT topic and I love your choices, Naida. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about Room so I’ll have to add it to my to-read list.

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  9. Hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day! Very cool choices for this theme. I don’t think I would have thought of some of them so I’m glad you mentioned them and reminded me about them (in particular the King book!).

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Naida, what a great post! I’ve read and/or watched some of your choices,, including Little Women, P & P, The Notebook, and (most of) Room. Your comment about Mrs. Bennet cracked me up! I have not read The Awakening or Beloved, but I’d like to.

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  12. Hi Naida,

    I haven’t read too many of the books from your list, so couldn’t really comments on your thoughts about the ‘mother figures’ in them.

    ‘Pride And Prejudice’ and ‘Little Women’ are about the only two I am qualified to discuss, both of which are excellent choices by the way!

    I am struggling to even recall a book I have read recently where there is quite a strong mother figure, although perhaps a book I am going to start reading soon has a suitable candidate – check out this post about ‘Last Witness’ by Carys Jones .. Amanda must surely qualify?

    http://www.fiction-books.biz/new-titles/what-im-currently-reading-a-guest-post-by-carys-jones/

    Great Post and ‘Happy Reading’ 🙂

    Yvonne

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hello Yvonne. I saw that great guest post and Amanda Thorne sounds like a strong mother figure. Happy reading to you as well and enjoy your week 🙂

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  14. Happy (belated) Mother’s Day to you! The roses you bought your mom are beautiful.

    I love this list. Off the top of my head I’d also add Cleo from The Living Is Easy (she isn’t a mother for the whole book, but becomes one, and is quite horrible). Unfortunately, it’s easier to think of books where the mom is already dead at the start…

    There are also some interesting moms in short stories. Like in Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge.”

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi HKatz, thank you 🙂
      Yes, it can be hard to find unforgettable moms in books, I kept thinking of bad ones, like the mom from Flowers in the Attic. I have heard of The Living Is Easy, but haven’t read it.
      Thanks for the recommendations! Enjoy your week.

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  19. YES TO ALL OF THESE! Molly Weasley is the ultimate fictional mother – she cares so deeply for her children and she adopts Harry as her own. I doubt that a list of fictional mothers could be complete without her. And yes to Lily Potter as well – she’s so selfless and sacrificial. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! ❤

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