Five Unforgettable Mothers from Literature

 In exactly two weeks time (if you live in the UK) it is Mothering Sunday (14 March 2021). With this in mind, I just thought I would put together a little list of some unforgettable mothers in literature. Most of them are pretty great mums. The last one . . .

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1. Molly Weasley from the Harry Potter series (J. K. Rowling)

If you do a search online for great mums in literature, Molly Weasley figures in numerous list articles. Not only is she the matriarch of the Weasley family but she is also something of a mother figure to the series' hero, Harry Potter, who has a pretty poor family situation himself. Not only does this character take care of all the usual motherly duties - cheerfully feeding, clothing, and protecting her children - she also goes to the fight when she has to.

The Harry Potter complete collection available here

2. Margaret March from Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)

Margaret "Marmee" March is another mother from literature that can be found on multiple online lists. It can't be easy for a single woman to raise four daughters during a civil war but Mrs. March loves her children and does everything she can to help them. She is a good listener, always having time to listen to her children's problems, and her daughters know that they can tell her anything.

Book available to purchase here

3. "Ma" from Room (Emma Donoghue)

This story, told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack, is not an easy read, and "Ma" is arguably the most tested mother on this list. The majority of this story takes place in the room of the title, where "Ma" and Jack are being held captive and have been held captive for many years by a man referred to as "Old Nick" in the story. The author apparently was inspired by the Fritzl case in Austria to write this story. "Ma" is a character that does all she can to protect her child in the worst of circumstances.

Available for purchase here

4. Miss Honey from Matilda (Roald Dahl)

Matilda Wormwood finds herself inhabiting a world of unpleasant characters - her family doesn't really seem to care about her very much at all and the headmistress of her school is a tyrant. However, Matilda finds warmth, friendship, and a mother figure in her teacher, Miss Jennifer Honey. This story reminds us that family is more than blood and, at the conclusion of the story, their relationship is cemented as they become an adoptive family.

Available for purchase here

5. Norma Bates from Psycho (Robert Bloch)

Well, this list is called "Five Unforgettable Mothers from Literature", not "Five Good Mothers . . .", and I don't think there's any denying that this mother figure is unforgettable. The character of Norman Bates has been compared to real life murderer, Ed Gein, who also had an odd relationship with his mother, having suffered abuse at her hands. This is definitely a mother/son relationship that will live on in the mind after the last page has been read.

Available for purchase here

Well, that's it. There are more mothers out there between the pages of some of our most favourite books. Which ones have stayed with you?