The Wide, Wide World Prompt

I felt that in The Wide, Wide World parents primarily do not play a huge role as most of us believe they do today, but the relationship that Ellen holds with her parents are similar to today's. There's always the saying that children are a map of their parents. In The Wide, Wide World the parents are helping Ellen learn ways of life, both the easy and difficult parts, from how to love God, all to how to sew a dress. And innocent, young Ellen is eager to do anything her mother says. "I trust every word you say-entirely-I know nothing could be truer" (p. 30). This story emphasizes so much how children should be extremely obedient towards their parents, and should do it willingly.

The roles of both the mother and father are complete opposites. It is obvious that the bond between Ellen and Mrs. Montgomery is much more stronger. They show both physical and emotional love towards one another. When Ellen finds out her mother is sick she cries as if there is no tomorrow. "With a wild cry she flung her arms round her mother, and hiding her face in her lap..." (p. 23). Mrs. Montgomery also has a deep love for Ellen. "...declaring that she would stay with her (Ellen) and die than take the chance of recovery at such a cost" (p. 24). Mrs. Montgomery is also the one that makes sure Ellen is ready for her trip. She makes sure she has her bible, her sewing kit, writing utensils, and love for God. The relationship between Ellen and her father is completely different. Ellen's father is never there. He is always off working, and when he is home all we hear from him are his feet shuffling up the stairs. When he tells Mrs. Montgomery that Ellen will me leaving the next morning he says it so easily with no emotion. When he sees his upset Mrs. Montgomery is by the news he is more irritated than understandable. "The captain, in happy unconsciousness of his wife's distress, and utter inability to sympathize with it, was soon in a sound sleep, and his heavy breathing was an aggravation of her trouble" (p. 73). He then had no problem stuffing Ellen in the cart with Mrs. Dunscombe's evil maid. Mr. Montgomery was more focused on being apologetic to the maid about being late than saying goodbye to his daughter for the last time. "But Ellen's off-that's one good thing" (p. 77).

I believe Ellen expects two different things from both of her parents. All she wants from her mother is her love and to always be making her happy. "It was real pleasure; she had the greatest satisfaction in seeing that the little her mother could eat was prepared for her in the nicest possible manner" (p. 26). And I don't believe Ellen expects much from her father, since he does not expect much from her.