This is the mother as a force of nature. Her love is primal and protective, often set against a backdrop of poverty, war, or social ostracism. She sacrifices everything so her son may have a chance.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: The entire plot is set in motion by the death of Theo’s mother. His life becomes a long, mourning-filled attempt to stay connected to her through a single piece of art. www incest mom son com
In the last decade, a new subgenre has emerged: the story of the adult son caring for his aging or dying mother. These narratives trade the Oedipal drama for the mundane, heartbreaking reality of role reversal. This is the mother as a force of nature
centers on a mother-daughter pair, but the film’s brief scenes with Lady Bird’s adoptive brother, Miguel, highlight how maternal expectations differ by gender. The mother’s love for Miguel is softer, less conflictual—a reminder that the mother-son bond is often less scrutinized than the mother-daughter bond. Gerwig captures the quiet tenderness that exists when no one is watching. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: The entire plot
5/5 stars