New York, Sep 25 (The Conversation) The opening line of "Anna Karenina" is widely regarded as a literary cliche, yet it holds a profound truth. Leo Tolstoy writes, "All happy families resemble one another, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Literature is replete with stories of thwarted parents causing havoc in unique ways. Previously, we scrutinized the worst fathers; now, we turn our attention to troublesome mothers.
A recent contender for the title of troubling mother appears in Arundhati Roy's new memoir, where she depicts a tyrannical, infuriating, yet seductive maternal figure named Mary.
However, my choice for the worst mother is a fictional character, also named Mary. In US author Sapphire's gripping 1996 novel "Push," Mary is portrayed as a violent, jealous woman who follows her husband in sexually abusing their teenage daughter, Precious. Amidst poverty and deprivation, Mary epitomizes the challenge to every maternal stereotype.
Here are our experts' picks:
Stuff – Joy Williams Your adult son has just informed you of his terminal lung cancer. Do you: A) Say, "Oh, well." B) Demand he speaks quietly so as not to disturb your roommate, Debbie, who is engrossed in dystopian video games. C) Dispute the idea that Gnosticism is a flawed religion incapable of forming a true moral community. D) Drink a stinger as green as antifreeze. E) Kick him out because your radical silence class is about to begin. F) Do all of the above. If so, you are a mother in the hilariously void world of Joy Williams' story "Stuff." – Alex Cothren, Lecturer in Creative Writing, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University.
Medea – Euripides A princess of Colchis, Medea betrayed her people to aid Jason, leader of the Argonauts, in capturing the Golden Fleece, and thereafter eloped with him to start a family. She kept her sorcery under wraps until Jason left her for a princess of Corinth. Medea's reaction was extreme, culminating in the murder of the new bride and her own children, before fleeing to Athens with divine assistance. – Jen Webb, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Creative Practice, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra.
Daisy Buchanan - The Great Gatsby Classic literature abounds with bad mothers. Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby's love interest, is a subtle example. Throughout the novel, she neglects her daughter Pammy, expressing the hope that Pammy becomes a "beautiful little fool" to remain ignorant of her mother's infidelities. Ultimately, Daisy's actions lead to the death of Tom's lover in a hit-and-run. – Sophie Gee, Vice Chancellor's Fellow, English Literature, University of Sydney.
May Callaghan - I for Isobel In Amy Witting’s "I for Isobel," the mother, May Callaghan, seethes with a wrath that shapes her family. Her rage is particularly directed at her bright, bookish daughter, Isobel. May repeatedly denies Isobel's worth, resulting in a tormented family dynamic. – Carol Lefevre, Visiting Research Fellow, Department of English and Creative Writing, University of Adelaide.
Elfriede Jelinek – The Piano Teacher Erika Kohut's mother intrudes on every aspect of her adult daughter's life within the oppressive confines of their Viennese apartment. Jelinek's portrayal of this relationship is a microcosm of Austria’s political repression. – Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney.
The Watch Tower – Elizabeth Harrower Choosing a worst mother in literature is challenging, but a bit-character in Elizabeth Harrower's "The Watchtower" stands out. The unnamed mother abandons her daughters, leaving them vulnerable to the cruelty of Felix Shaw. – Edwina Preston, PhD Candidate, Creative Writing, The University of Melbourne.
Serena Joy - The Handmaid’s Tale A controversial choice for the worst mother, Serena Joy Waterford from "The Handmaid's Tale" and its sequel "The Testaments" undermines the essence of motherly care, viewing children as rights or prizes. – Natalie Kon-yu, Associate Professor, Creative Writing and Literary Studies, Victoria University.
Nina, Heartsease – Kate Kruimink In Kate Kruimink's "Heartsease," Nelly struggles to define herself against her mother, Nina, a socialite who died when Nelly was a teenager, rendering her a challenging figure in Nelly's life. – Jane Messer, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Cultural and Creative Research, University of Canberra.
Helen, Oh Joseph, I’m So Tired – Richard Yates Many of Yates' novels reflect his tumultuous relationship with his own mother. In "Oh Joseph, I’m So Tired," Helen is depicted as self-centered and bigoted, yet holds aspirations that momentarily transform her children's lives. – Julian Novitz, Senior Lecturer, Writing, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology.
Maggie, Bodies of Light – Jennifer Down Rather than a "worst" mother, Maggie is a complex character contending with past trauma. Her struggles as a mother highlight the trope of monstrous mothers within culture. – Julienne van Loon, Associate Professor in Creative Writing, School of Culture and Communication, The University of Melbourne.
Mrs Bannerman, The Last House on Needless Street – Catriona Ward Mrs. Bannerman's portrayal in "The Last House on Needless Street" is chilling, with her abusive tendencies carried out under a veil of ambiguity, contributing to a terrifying narrative. – Ali Alizadeh, Senior Lecturer in Literary Studies and Creative Writing, Monash University.
Muriel Cleese, So, Anyways... – John Cleese In John Cleese's autobiography, "So, Anyway…," he portrays his mother, Muriel, as self-obsessed and anxious, providing a refreshing perspective on a complicated mother-son relationship. – Paul Giles, Professor of English, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, ACU, Australian Catholic University.
Mrs Skewton, Dombey and Son – Charles Dickens Dickens' "Dombey and Son" features Mrs. Skewton, a manipulative maternal figure intent on securing a prosperous marriage for her daughter, a theme Dickens frequently revisits. – Robert Phiddian, Professor of English, Flinders University. (The Conversation)
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