The Wide, Wide World

Parents play many different roles in a child’s life. They are also extremely different and range from family to family. From the single working mother to the well-balanced housewife and working father, there is a huge difference in families everywhere.  In “The Wide, Wide World,” Ellen’s mother and father play extremely different roles in her life. Ellen spends most of her time with her mother. Whether they are just keeping each other company or Ellen is making her mothers’ tea and toast, they are usually by each others’ side. Ellen looks up to and is heavily influenced by her mother. When Ellen and her mother were shopping the one-day they were able to leave the house, one of their purchases was a bible. Ellen had trouble with deciding between which Bible to get. She asked her mother and once her mother gave her opinion, Ellen quickly chose the same one.  “I think it is rather inconveniently large and heavy for everyday use,” said Ellen’s mother. Ellen quickly responds by taking the Bible back to the table and returning it for a smaller one.

 

Captain Montgomery is not mentioned very often during the story. He is talked about more than he is present in Ellen’s life. At the beginning of the story Ellen is constantly waiting for him to leave for work so she can have alone time with her mother. After reading the text, it is evident that Ellen shows respect and is highly obedient of her father but outside of that short time relationship, there is not much more to it. The Wide, Wide World shows the close relationship between a mother and her daughter and a more absent relationship between a daughter and her father.

 

Ellen, although only a young age of 8, is a responsible young girl. She acts more like an adult than a majority of people twice her age. She is able to take care of not only herself, but her mother as well. She proves this when she goes to the store to buy a merino for her mother. Mrs. Montgomery was very iffy and unsure if it was a good idea for Ellen to go but she begged and pleaded until she was allowed. Ellen proved herself when she returns with the cloth for the merino she has chosen for her mother and the old man. At this time, Ellen forms a relationship with the old man that almost seems to fulfill the space of Ellen’s relationship with her father. After leaving the store she quickly gives him her hand and talks to him like they have known each other for years.