To mark Mother’s Day, take a look at the best mother figures and overall fierce females literature has to offer. These strong-minded women are often stern, but always, always caring. Perhaps most importantly, they each are not afraid to push their children to be the best they can be. Ladies, we salute you.
Mrs Lancaster: The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
John Green’s heart-wrenching novel tells the tale of antagonists Hazel and Augustus as they deal with Hazel’s cancer, books and teenage love.
Pivotal to the story’s progression is Hazel’s mother, who does everything she can to make sure Hazel gets the most out of life. Despite coming across as overbearing and over-protective, Mrs Lancaster is completely dedicated to her daughter and simply wants her to be able to lead a normal teenage life.
“…and they held on to me for hours while the tide rolled in.”
Molly Weasley: Harry Potter series, J.K Rowling
Flame-haired matriarch of The Burrow, Molly Weasley, is fiercely protective of her seven children.
She would defend them to the hilt, but at the same time is not afraid to send the odd Howler to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to keep her mischievous boys in check.
Her maternal instincts are so strong that she even practically adopts Harry in Chamber of Secrets, once she gets over the shock of Fred, George and Ron flying Mr Weasley’s Ford Anglia in broad daylight. It’s clear to see she has her children’s best interests at heart, though: “You could have died, you could have been seen!”
Any woman who is prepared to take on and eradicate someone like Bellatrix Lestrange to protect her children is a pretty good maternal figure.
“Not my daughter, you bitch!” – Molly Weasley
Mrs March: Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
Mrs Margaret March is one of literature’s greatest mother figures, and with good reason.
Louisa May Alcott’s creation is a vision of excellence when it comes to parenting, as she allows her four children to have their freedom and, of course, make their own mistakes.
‘Marmee’ to her daughters, Mrs March was forward-thinking and radically unconventional for her era; she ensured that her girls were educated and able to think for themselves instead of pushing them into marriage, unlike many mothers of the 19th Century. I’m looking at you, Mrs Bennet of Pride and Prejudice.
“Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!”
Miss Honey: Matilda, Roald Dahl
The antidote to the poisonous headmistress Ms Trunchbull, schoolteacher Miss Jennifer Honey is a mentor and protector to the children of Crunchem Hall, especially those who have faced the terror of the Chokey.
Miss Honey’s nurturing qualities come to fruition when she adopts her pupil, Matilda Wormwood.
OK, so Miss Honey isn’t Matilda’s biological mother but hey, this is 2015- there ain’t no such thing as a “normal family”. Besides, the less said about Zinnia Wormwood the better.
Miss Honey’s sunny outlook means that she can provide Matilda with the life she has always wanted- a life full of interaction, stimulation and above all, love.
“Matilda leapt into Miss Honey’s arms and hugged her, and Miss Honey hugged her back…”
Check out Taylor’s favourite fictional teachers here, and have your say on this list in the comments section below.
