Modeling an Ideal Mother: Analyzing Mothers from Popular Artistic Mediums

The question of who to model an ideal mother after can be tricky, especially when considering mothers from various artistic mediums. From novels and manga to anime, TV shows, and movies, there are various characters that come to mind. This article will delve into these characters, highlighting the traits that make them notable and whether they'd be suitable role models.

Bad Mothers in Artistic Mediums

There are several mothers from different genres that stand out as decidedly not ideal models for a mother. These characters often lament the belief that they want the best for their children, only to treat them abominably. Here are some prominent examples:

Once Upon A Time: The Evils of Cora and Zelena

Cora, the mother of Regina and Zelena, exemplifies the truly misleading maternal figure. Despite stating that she wanted the best for her youngest daughter, her actions were abusively manipulative from the start. This character serves as a stark contrast to the ideal mother we might aspire to have.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Inept Naomi Bunch

Naomi Bunch, mother of Rebecca in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is another worthy example. Despite attempting to assert herself, Naomi's abusive nature only serves to make her an additional villain in the series.

Jane Austen: The Darcy Sisters' Mother

In Pride and Prejudice, the mother of Elizabeth and Jane Darcy is a cautionary figure, harmlessly aggressive, yet fundamentally unloving. Much like Cora and Naomi, she fails to nurture a healthy and harmonious relationship with her daughters, thus falling short of the ideal mother figure.

Other notable mentions include:

Polly Cronin, the mother of Lizzy from Erased The mother of Carrie from Ghostbusters

Ideal Mothers in Artistic Mediums

There are a few mothers who, while flawed, do embody the spirit of a nurturing and guiding force. Here are some standout examples:

Erased: Kayo's Mother

Kayo's Mother from Erased is a prime example of a vile and abusive character. A clear case of a misguided mother, she is not a role model for anyone to emulate. Her actions are in no way aligned with the ideals of a nurturing and caring parent.

Assassination Classroom: Mothers Raising Spectrum Children

Mothers in Assassination Classroom such as Hiromi Shiota, Hitagi's mother from Bakemonogatari, Akemi Hinazuki, and several others like Saki Arima from Your Lie in April, Satsuki Matsumae from Hanasaku Iroha, and Kumiko Kotoura from Kotoura-san, each provide a mix of maternal turmoil and growth but still fail in their primary role to protect and guide their children.

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Tragic Ib's Mother

Ib Curtis from Fullmetal Alchemist is a tragic figure, showing the impact of a distant and traumatic childhood. Similarly, Yui Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion is another example where the mother's character contributes to the overall tragedy of the series. Both characters, while not ideal, show that the guidance and protection of a mother is crucial.

Conclusion

The search for an ideal mother in artistic mediums can be challenging. Characters like Cora, Naomi, and Kayo's mother provide ample reasons why they should not be role models. Yet, the examples of mothers from Assassination Classroom and the tragic figures from Fullmetal Alchemist and Neon Genesis Evangelion offer a more nuanced perspective on the importance of maternal guidance. While not all may aspire to follow these characters, they serve as powerful reminders of the values that a mother should embody.