Parental Figures in The Wide, Wide World

I found it very interesting that in The Wide, Wide World, the role of the parents fell in the lines of strict obedience. Even in the parental figures of the story, such as the doctor, Ellen is constantly following commands and doing as she is told. However, the role of obedience looks different for every parental figure we've met so far. In the relationship between Ellen and her mother, we see, as we discussed in class today, that the "forces of nature overcame them" when both mother and daughter were crying uncontrollably when Mrs. Montgomery announced that she was leaving and Ellen was being left behind. However, the moment Mrs. Montgomery commanded that the tears stop, Ellen obeys. Not for any other reason than that she cares for her mother's well being and doesn't want to upset her. Mrs. Montgomery says on page 26 after Ellen had been crying " Ellen, my love, I cannot bear this much longer" and so "Ellen was immediately brought to herself by these words. She arose, sorry and ashamed that she should have given occasion for them, and, tenderly kissking her mother, assured her most sincerely and resolutely, that she would not do so again". This obedience did not come from a place of fear of punishment but out of care and concern from her mother.

The doctor and Mr. Montgomery on the other hand is a different story. I feel that there is a sense of fear of punishment if their instructions were not obeyed. The doctor gives Ellen strict instructions on how to care for her mother and she fears that if she does not follow them, her mother might die. Although Mr. Montgomery is rarely in the picture, we can still get a sense of the authority figure he is by the reverence in which he mentioned. For example, when Ellen awakens the next day after recieving her mother's news that they wouldn't be together much longer, Ellen asks her mother "Need I go to school today, mamma?" to which the mother replies "No; I spoke to your father about that' you shall not go any more; we will be together now while we can". We can see here the reverence in obeying what the father's wishes were and in Mrs. Montgomery from seeking approval of Ellen not going to school.


We see in the reading that Mrs. Montgomery is always with Ellen. Back in the 19th century, women didn't work and were with the children all the time. We see the relationship between Mrs. Montgomery and Ellen as a very intimate and nurturing relationship. The mother is very present in Ellen's life and is constantly guiding Ellen's thoughts about what is right to be thinking about; to do this, Mrs. Montgomery's faith is always brought into discussion when she is instructing Ellen. The role of the father is portrayed as being one that is distant. Mr. Montgomery is not really in the picture at all, but when he is, he fulfills to role of authority and sets the standards of the rules that are to be followed. Mr. Montgomery isn't in the picture very much because we presume that he is working which adds to the distance in the relationship between Ellen and him. In the 19th century, it was probably much like this because the father figures would go out and work long days, leaving the mother with the children and come home to enforce rules just as Mr. Montgomery does in the reading.

I think that Ellen views her mother as someone who needs to be respected however someone she can rely on. We also see a role reversal in that relationship because Ellen cares for her mother in a way that a mother would care for a sick child. Ellen takes on a lot of responsibility to care for her mother and in doing that I think she views her mother as someone to have a great deal of compassion on. She is very careful to make sure everything is perfect for her mother (from the toast to promptly having tea ready) to ensure her mother's health remaining stable. Ellen also seeks a lot of approval from her mother. Ellen tries not to be upset around her mother because she doesn't want to upset her mother. She also seeks her mother's approval in other things such as Bible's and desk tops. She will follow her mother's advice if she gets the sense that her mother does not approve of what her eyes are fixating on. Ellen's father on the other hand, I got the sense of respect. She doesn't mention him much and when she does it is out of following what orders he has put out there.