"Wide Wide World"

In Warner's "Wide Wide World" there are many portrayals of parental characters. Warner uses Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery to show different characteristics of parenting. He stereotypes the father and mother figures, but sticks true to the characteristics that mothers and fathers had in the 19th century when this work was released.

I think that Mrs. Montgomery's portrayal of motherhood is an interesting one. Mrs. Montgomery is a very caring, loving mother. Although she is very ill, she is able to shower her love and affection and proper attention on her daughter, Ellen. She is also a very spiritual woman who has a very close relationship with God. Mrs. Montgomery tries to instill in Ellen the love that she has for the Lord, in hopes that Ellen will grow up to be a spiritual woman, considering her relationship with the Lord to be one of most importance. She also wants Ellen to grow up to be a proper lady, which is why she instills to her and instructs her on how to properly perform household duties. Ellen would probably be a less well behaved child if her mother was not such an important and large influence in her life and upbringing. Mrs. Montgomery is also tough on Ellen with her love, tougher than most parents would be with their 8 year old daughter. I think this is because of her mother's illness, and because she knows that she doesn't have much more time to spend with Ellen. Mrs. Montgomery realizes that Ellen will have to grow up quicker than normal because of her mother's illness, and will be left with what her mother can do for her now. Ellen and her mother share a very close, loving relationship. The reader can tell that Ellen admires her mother very much and loves her with all her heart.

Ellen's father, Captain Montgomery is quite invisible throughout the excerpt. I feel that he does have an influence on Ellen though. He serves as an authoritative figure in her life. Ellen doesn't feel for her father what she feels for her mother. She does not enjoy simply being around him and they don't have an emotional father/daughter relationship at all. Captain Montgomery only provides for his daughter financially. I feel there is no deeper connection between the two.

Ellen's mother plays a very important role in life. Ellen considers her mother to be her best friend. Aside from that, Mrs. Montgomery fulfills other important roles in her life such as being her confidant, teacher, spiritual leader, and provider. The two share a very deep bond. The depth of that bond and the depth of Ellen's feelings for her mother are revealed when she hears that her mother will be leaving her. I don't feel as if Ellen expects much of anything from her father. Aside from being the financial provider for the family, he does not have any other role in his daughter's life or any kind of connection with her.