Mary’s Motherhood

Foster

Mary’s relationship with her daughter is shaped by real affection, scarce time, and a silence that changes meaning after the summer.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Tight Plaits The Tight Plaits from "Foster". The Tight Plaits Preparing a child Mary braids the girl’s hair tightly and packs clean pants and a letter.

The Tight Plaits from "Foster". The Tight Plaits Preparing a child Mary braids the girl’s hair tightly and packs clean pants and a letter.

The Tight Plaits Preparing a child Mary braids the girl’s hair tightly and packs clean pants and a letter. The girl remembers the strength of her hands and her pregnant body behind her. Care under strain The memory holds tenderness together with the hurried labor of a mother managing a large household. The girl carries both forms of knowledge to the farm.

A Tenner and Small Luxuries A Tenner and Small Luxuries from "Foster". A Tenner and Small Luxuries A family treat The girl reports that Mary won money on prize bonds and bought jelly, ice cream, a bicycle repair kit, and a new…

A Tenner and Small Luxuries from "Foster". A Tenner and Small Luxuries A family treat The girl reports that Mary won money on prize bonds and bought jelly, ice cream, a bicycle repair kit, and a new…

A Tenner and Small Luxuries A family treat The girl reports that Mary won money on prize bonds and bought jelly, ice cream, a bicycle repair kit, and a new tube. The story gives the Kinsellas a glimpse of family life. A child’s loyalty The memory turns toward Mary’s hands and the work behind the household. The girl’s affection remains vivid even while she enjoys a more spacious home.

The Pregnancy Question The Pregnancy Question from "Foster". The Pregnancy Question Concern from Edna Edna asks whether Mary is all right and learns that the morning sickness has passed.

The Pregnancy Question from "Foster". The Pregnancy Question Concern from Edna Edna asks whether Mary is all right and learns that the morning sickness has passed.

The Pregnancy Question Concern from Edna Edna asks whether Mary is all right and learns that the morning sickness has passed. The girl explains that Mary is waiting for the hay to be cut. An absent mother present Mary is not in the room, yet her health and labor shape the girl’s account. Edna’s questions begin a careful connection between the two households.

The Letter’s Request The Letter’s Request from "Foster". The Letter’s Request A practical return Mary’s letter asks that the girl come home over the weekend so she can be prepared for school.

The Letter’s Request from "Foster". The Letter’s Request A practical return Mary’s letter asks that the girl come home over the weekend so she can be prepared for school.

The Letter’s Request A practical return Mary’s letter asks that the girl come home over the weekend so she can be prepared for school. It arrives with news of a new baby. Love expressed indirectly The request is brief, but it brings the girl back into the family’s needs. Her sorrow at leaving does not mean the mother’s claim on her has disappeared.

The Unasked Question The Unasked Question from "Foster". The Unasked Question A chance to tell Mary asks what happened during the summer, and the girl says nothing happened.

The Unasked Question from "Foster". The Unasked Question A chance to tell Mary asks what happened during the summer, and the girl says nothing happened.

The Unasked Question A chance to tell Mary asks what happened during the summer, and the girl says nothing happened. She does not disclose the well accident or her feelings about John. A changed relationship The girl knows more than she did when she left, but that knowledge does not make speaking easy. Her silence protects an experience that belongs to her before it belongs to the family.

the morning the girl leaves home

during the conversation about home on the first day

the first night in the spare bedroom

the Thursday the letter arrives

after John and Edna leave the family home