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.