My Favourite Fictional Mums
My Favourite Fictional Mums
Today is Mother's Day in the UK. It's one of my favourite days of the year, because I get to show my mum how much she means to me. But it's not only my mum who's awesome. Female characters in books still aren't celebrated as much as they should be, particularly not older ones. So this post is my tribute to all my favourite fictional mothers, all of whom nearly match up to my own mum, and all of whom are badass in their own ways. (Be aware of spoilers!)
Molly has stuck in my mind for a long time because she proves that women have the capacity to both love and be ferociously protective. She manages to bring up seven children and still have the energy to adopt an eighth and love him as fiercely as her own children. And all of those children know that their mother would do anything for them, as she proves in the Battle of Hogwarts.
2. Sally Jackson- The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.
Sally is one of the bravest women I've ever read about. She puts up with a repulsive husband to protect her son, and makes Percy feel loved and secure despite the abuse she endures, making sure that he never knows what's going on. After all that, she doesn't stop him from going off and saving the world, and even offers him advice although she must have been terrified for him. Bravery doesn't have to mean fighting.
3. Catelyn Stark- The Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin.
Although this isn't the hardest title to reach, Catelyn is probably the best mother in the Kingdoms. Before her husband's death, her children actually lead normal, loving lives. Afterwards, she does everything she thinks she has to to keep them safe in the future. It's not her fault it doesn't quite work out, but she deserves points for trying.
4. Rosa Hubermann- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
I feel like Rosa would get on well with Molly. Neither of them are averse to being strict, but that doesn't lessen how loving the two of them are. No matter what happens to Rosa- and she encounters a lot of problems through no fault of her own- she never gives in, and she never makes Liesel feel less welcome. The scene where she tells Liesel that makes is awake sums her up- she's fierce, but she has a heart of gold.
5. Charlotte Branwell- The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare.
Charlotte isn't technically a mother until after TID ends, but she might as well be. She provides a refuge for group of traumatised teenagers, and makes their home the warmest place it can be. Even when they're difficult to her or she's struggling with her job, she never fails to be loving. She protects them and makes sure that they have somewhere to escape from the stress of their job. And I'm sure she's an equally fantastic mother to her real children.
6. Sorcha of Sevenwaters- The Sevenwaters trilogy by Juliet Marillier.
Sorcha is another character who isn't a fighter, but who lives her whole life with bravery and love. She has an awful experience growing up, but that doesn't stop her raising her children in a home where they feel happy and secure. Later, she isn't afraid to stick up for them, even against her husband and her brothers. Even whilst she is dying she does everything she can to comfort them and make their lives easier. That's true bravery, for me.
7. Dilly Cookson- Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson.
Dilly isn't an obvious choice for a list of good mothers. She makes a lot of mistakes in raising Beauty, and spends a lot of time justifying her husband's actions. However, she also does everything she can to make up for him to Beauty, and trying to find creative solutions to her problems. When she realises she has made mistakes, she is not afraid to face the uncertainty that running away causes or to own up to her mistakes. Mothers don't have to be perfect- they just have to do their best, like Dilly.
8. Connie Temple- The Gone series by Michael Grant.
Throughout the Gone books, it is revealed that Connie has made some really tough decisions. She gives up one of her sons because she is afraid of hurting him, which must have been unimaginably difficult. Then she loses her husband, and is faced by her son's developing powers, both situations she handles as well as she can. Finally, when she is separated from her children by the FAYZ, she never gives up on saving either of them.
Mothers are amazing for lots of different reasons. There are a lot more that could have gone on this list, but I'll save them for next year! Who would you like to see next time?
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