Parents in The Wide, Wide World

As vividly portrayed in The Wide, Wide World, the role of parents in the nineteenth century was vital to the development of a well behaved child. Parent’s expectations for their young ones were much higher than they are today. Their goals were to create conducive little members of society while at the same time offering love and protection. Typically, the mother was the caretaker and ultimate teacher of life lessons and affection, which created close bonds between mother and child. Father’s were only expected to provide food, shelter, clothing, and protection for the family.


Mrs. Montgomery, Ellen’s mother was extremely close with her daughter. Offering bountiful love and guidance, she was Ellen’s role model; as Ellen proudly states in the text, “And I always feel safe when you are near me, because I know you’ll take care of me.” (Page 30.) Although she was very ill and could not physically take care of her like a mother should, she taught Ellen how to be self sufficient and independent. In fact, Ellen gladly accepts every opportunity throughout the story, to care for and nurture her dying mother. For instance, preparing her mother’s toast and tea is the highlight of her day. Ellen seems to have adjusted well to growing up at a young age, until she discovers her mother has to leave the country, without her. This news brings frequent emotional break downs for “poor little Ellen.” It’s seems almost too much for Mrs. Montgomery and Ellen to bare being apart, just discussing the matter sends them both into hysteria. In a description of their last embrace it reads, “She burst into uncontrollable weeping: it seemed as if she would pour out her very heart in tears; and she clung to her mother with a force that made it a difficult task for her father to remove her.” (Page 77.) Mr. Montgomery, however, uncompassionate and bitter, cares little about his wife and daughter’s emotions and sticks strictly to what’s “best” in his opinion.