Brown Girl, Brownstones | Themes

Brown Girl, Brownstones Themes

Mothers and Daughters

Most mothers want to see their children grow up to be happy and successful, but not all mothers want to let go of their children. Clive points out to Selina that he thinks that mothers never want to cut the umbilical cord, but instead want to get the most out of their investment, taking life to replace the life they have given. This antagonistic view reflects his own relationship with his mother, who is always calling him with supposed medical emergencies. Selina also feels bound to her mother, even when her parents are fighting. After a big family fight, when Ina flees, "Selina remained. Obscurely she knew that this was her place, that for some reason she would always remain behind with the mother" (Book 3, The War, chap, 5, p. 132). Selina can not truly grow up until she learns to walk away...
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