White Oleander
The influence of motherhood can negatively affect and threaten the relationship of a mother and her daughter. Janet Fitch's White Oleander, is about the weakness, unsteadiness and untrustworthiness of love. However, the novel centers on the power of motherhood. Fitch's descriptive and poetic writing style skillfully uses the title flower, the white oleander, as a symbol to represent this theme. The oleander itself strives under intensely hot and dry weather. It is both strong and tough under the worst of situations. In Janet Fitch's White Oleander, the white oleander represents the power of motherhood and the effects it has on Astrid. Astrid's mother, Ingrid, proves to be just as the oleander, staying strong even when convicted of murdering her lover, and being sent to prison. For Astrid, Ingrid is the first and most important figure in her life. She watches Ingrid's every movement and dreams of being one day exactly like her. As a child, Astrid is constantly feeling the guilt of holding her mother back from the life she wishes to live: "I knew the only reason we were here was because of me. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have to take jobs like this. She would be half a planet away, floating in a turquoise sea, dancing by m
Motherhood is also powerful in a sense that a parent's flaws can significantly affect their child's life. Astrid still feels and accepts the strong connection between herself and Ingrid. No matter the distance between a mother and daughter, there is always a bind between them. "Fitch manages to make Astrid's challenge the challenge of every young girl in the world: to separate and yet keep the love of her mother" (Benedict). After Ingrid prompts Claire's death, Astrid sees the evil that emotions can do. Not only does Astrid feel this extreme guilt, but she constantly fears the thought of her mother abandoning her one day. Astrid is given the opportunity to learn from the mistakes her mother made. Astrid often finds herself acting in ways her mother would. Astrid learns many lessons from her mother's flaws. Ingrid does nothing to let Astrid believe otherwise. Once Ingrid begins breaking her own rules and lets her guard down, Astrid sees how she suffers from heartbreak. Even after all that Ingrid has put her through, Astrid still states "No matter where I went, my compass pointed west. Throughout the novel, Astrid is continuously searching for the love and acceptance of her own mother. I would always know what time it was in California (Fitch, 446).
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Acceptance Essays
