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My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood


Rating:

5 Stars


Themes: 

Short Story, Contemporary Fiction, Mother Daughter Relationship, Mental Health, Witches, Fantasy


Thoughts: 

This is an interesting story that can be interpreted in three ways. For instance it can be as on face value that magic and manifestation is real. It could be that the mother is experiencing a mental health difficulty causing delusions which is why she believes in her powers. Or reading deeper it is a much more complex and upsetting story in which the mother does whatever she needs to provide for and protect her young daughter alone with her later admitting she said things to help her daughter feel safe. In this, she doesn't care about what the neighborhood thinks of her as it keeps them coming back and providing income.

In all theories there must be some sympathetic for the mother alone to raise her daughter as the father walked away (whether encouraged or not, he decided to completely walk away) and even years later when he reaches out to her as an adult he still fails to take any responsibility for his choice to walk away instead blaming the mother, but still refusing to take responsibility by keeping her a secret from his 'real' second family. 

This no doubt poisoned the mother and daughters relationship with the mother being left to bear the burden of childrearing alone and always having to be bad cop. And the daughter herself admits she sees her father as virtuous while her mother is a burden to her.

Favourite Quote: 

"You were such a sensitive child. So easily wounded. So I told you those things. I didn't want you to feel defenceless in the face of life. Life can be harsh. I wanted you fo feel protected, and to know that there was a greater power watching over you. That the Universe was taking a personal interest."

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