Comments for Child Of My Heart

Comment on second essential question by yhsbutterflies

yhsbutterflies — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:09:25 +0000

Nicole,
I was reading your comment and I think its really interesting how you talk about how the book says that women who neglect their hously, caring duties are what bring about the ruin of society. This is intersting because in the book I read, In the Time of the Butterflies, we have been talking about the double standard men hold for women. For example, when women neglect their duties, such as caring, having dignity, etc., their children suffer and society is lost without, say, the guiding hand of a female. However, if men are “lost” such as they have affairs or neglect their children or wife, they are not considered negative and hurtful, but rather distant or busy or “wandering.” Although it seems like the children in the book suffer because of their neglectful mother, I am wondering where their father was at the time and why he wasn’t considered neglectful as well. Basically, why do the women get the blame for raising their children poorly when the father should have just as equal a positive or negative influence on their lives.

-chelsea e.

Comment on second essential question by yhsbutterflies

yhsbutterflies — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:07:56 +0000

Comment on Essential Questions by yhscarolinablue

yhscarolinablue — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:20:39 +0000

Child of My Heart seems to be similar to Bastard Out of Carolina in the way the mothers are neglectful. In Bastard Out of Carolina Anne, Bone’s mother, finds out that Glen is beating Bone, but she keeps returning to him and just tries to get Bone to stop upsetting Glen so he doesn’t beat her. She puts her needs of having a husband abover her daughter’s safety. From what I’ve read of your comments it seems that the mothers in your book are also neglectful or unaware of their children, though perhaps not to as much of an extent as Anne is in Bastard Out of Carolina.

-Sarah

Comment on Essential Questions by Katie

Katie — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:32:42 +0000

Julia, I agree with what you that in the beginning of the story Theresa is a positive role model and wants to teach the children she is with what is right. As the story continues though, we notice that Theresa is less conscious of her actions and begins to have a bit of a relationship with Flora’s dad, the artist. Why do you think Theresa goes from being so aware of her actions and teaching children what is right to having a relationship with Flora’s dad? In the beginning we see Theresa as the only positive depiction of a female charater. Does she change so much because of the other female characters she is exposed to?

Comment on second essential question by katie

katie — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:22:03 +0000

I agree with Julia. I think the ending shows how people are influenced by our culture and that everyone has a side other than what people see. We see Theresa as a good role model and good person in general throughout the story and in the end our opinion of her is changed because of what she does. Theresa shows that people aren’t always what they seem to be. I agree with Julia that the story points out negative things about our culture. First it shows the neglectful mothers then in the end it shows how people are different than what they seem to be.

Comment on second essential question by Julia

Julia — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:08:28 +0000

Nicole, I have to say I agree with you about the ending. I did find it strange, however when you think about it, there are definitely some things throughout the book that hint towards her relations with the artist. I do think that this just goes to show how there are no completely dependable characters in this world, though. Although Theresa is a positive role model for the children, we see near the end of the book that she has another side. The way this is presented gives negative connotations about our culture, saying that even though people may appear positive and sincere, they are not always this way behind closed doors.

Comment on Essential Questions by Julia

Julia — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:51:24 +0000

I agree with Katie in that there are several characters showing the variety of ways women can be depicted in the media. For example, the 15-year-old babysitter Teresa is an independent young girl with a lot of intelligence for someone her age. She is always conscious of her actions around the children she babysits because she wants them to learn what is right. She serves as a role model for these children who do not have mothers to fit that position adequately. The children love her because she provides something for them that their parents do not: compassion. She is basically the only positive depiction of women in the story so far.

Daisy’s mother is preoccupied with all of her other kids so Daisy feels left out. Her mother does not seem to care enough about her as an individual, simply another one of her many children. Teresa makes Daisy feel special.

Flora’s mother does not seem to care for any of her family members very much at all. Not only does she basically ignore Flora, but she does not pay much attention to her husband, the artist, either. She doesn’t care about what he does, which is very apparent after the words of advice she gives Teresa. Flora’s mother is a negative depiction of women.

Comment on Essential Questions by Mrs. P

Mrs. P — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:48:00 +0000

Katie and Nicole,
You have made some interesting comments about women’s portrayal in Child of My Heart. I am wondering if you find yourself connecting easily to Theresa. Why, do you think, McDermott includes such contrasting characters? Do you think all readers should be able to identify with the characters?

I look forward to your next posts.

Mrs. P.

Comment on Essential Questions by Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 23:10:24 +0000

After reading pages 1-86 of Child of My Heart there isn’t much depiction of women in the media. Other than the parents of the main character, and their hopes that she will marry rich, and have a better life than the middle class life they can give her.

However, women are portrayed in many different ways in the novel. I feel that the wives of the rich, successful men in long island are portrayed accurately. We see the wife of the artist, who is married for money, and neglects her children. The mother of the Moran children is also portrayed as a woman who neglects her motherly duties for adventures in the fast paced society of New York. I feel that so far the author portrays the rich “brooks brothers” wives of Long Island in a negative light. Which seems to contrast the main character, Theresa’s wisdom and compassion for children.

Comment on Essential Questions by Katie

Katie — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:01:52 +0000

So far in Child Of My Heart, there are several female characters who show different ways that women can be depicted. Theresa, although she is only 15, is intelligent and is a role model to the children she babysits. Theresa is in charge of her life and the children she is with. She is also conscious of what is right and what is wrong. She makes an effort to do the right thing and encourages others to also.The Mothers of the children Theresa watches are often the opposite of Theresa. All three Mothers that have been mentioned so far in the story seem to pay little if any attention to their children.

For example, Flora’s mother is always busy with her own things and doesn’t pay any attention to Flora. She is very self absorbed and also seems to be dominant in her marriage. It seems she will do whatever she wants whether her husband likes it or not.

Daisy’s mother also shows a different way women can be depicted. She is always busy because she has so many kids. Since she is always so busy, she has become impatient and spends little time paying attention to her younger children like Daisy.

Mrs Moran is a woman who is too busy with relationship problems to pay attention to her children. Her children are left on their own and depend on Theresa to take care of them.

Theresa seems to be learning what not to do by being exposed to wealthy mothers like Flora’s Mom, less wealthy mothers like Daisy’s Mom, and poor mothers like Mrs Moran. She sees how neglectful these mothers can be of their children and will avoid being like them.