Mother and Son: Theme: The cost to the individual of being dutiful

Mother and Son: Theme: The cost to the individual of being dutiful

Overview

  • “Mother and Son: Theme: The Cost to the Individual of Being Dutiful” focuses on the emotional and psychological toll that adherence to social obligations can impose on someone.
  • It presents an in-depth exploration of the themes of individual sacrifice, duty, and personal freedom.

Setting

  • The story unfolds in a small, isolated Scottish island community which is steeply rooted in tradition and duty.
  • Mother and Son live in a claustrophobic environment, mirroring their confined lives bound by societal and familial expectations.

Characters

  • Mother is a traditional woman who upholds societal norms. She suppresses her dreams and desires in order to fulfil her duties.
  • Son is a sensitive individual torn between loyalty towards his mother and his yearning for personal freedom.

Themes

  • Duty: Explored through the Son who is obligated to care for his domineering mother, symbolising personal sacrifice and dedication.
  • Individual Sacrifice: The Son’s deferment of his dreams to provide for his mother is symbolic of individual sacrifice.
  • Freedom: The character’s constant yearning for personal freedom demonstrates the struggle against societal norms.

Symbolism and Imagery

  • The island: Represents confinement and isolation, reflecting the Son’s trapped existence between duty and freedom.
  • Mother’s domineering nature: Symbolises societal pressures and norms that individuals are expected to comply with.
  • Son’s yearning for mainland: Depicts his desire for personal freedom and individual expression.

Writing Style

  • Crichton Smith’s style in this narrative balances the Son’s personal emotions and the weight of his duties, offering a profound insight into the overpowering hold of societal obligations.
  • Detailed internal monologues are used to accurately portray the Son’s internal conflict and personal sacrifices.
  • The repetitive domestic patterns reflect the monotonous, duty-bound life of the Son.

Conclusion

  • “Mother and Son: Theme: The Cost to the Individual of Being Dutiful” delivers a poignant account of an individual’s struggle with their societal duties and personal desires.
  • It effectively portrays the emotional cost of adhering to societal norms, persuading readers to contemplate the scales of individual freedom and duty.