Analysis of "Revolt of ‘Mother'" In Mary Wilkins Freeman's "The Revolt of ‘Mother'" Mother is the typical woman of the late 1890s, who was brought up to be subservient to men, as was common during the era. America was a completely patriarchal society at the end of the nineteenth century. Women had always been perceived as lesser beings than men; women were thought to be less intelligent, weaker, and generally less important than men. "The Revolt of ‘Mother'" was written just around the time when women started demanding their rights, strong women, like Sarah Penn. The characterization of ‘Mother' as a meek woman strongly conveys an idea about real women standing up for themselves and their beliefs that was just the beginning of a …show more content…
She started to see a part of her husband in Sammy, and she saw Nanny as more meek than she, and she did not want her children to succumb to weakness.
Sarah's desire for a better life for her children led her to take a stand against Adoniram. She had to show her children how to be strong and independent, and by moving into the barn, she was trying to teach them a lesson. She did not want her children to suffer because they did not know how to stand up for themselves. When Adoniram first confronts Sarah about moving, Sammy gets up and stands in front of her, as a way to protect her, which shows that he learned from his mother's example and stood up for what he believed is right. The message was meant for Nanny, but she cowered behind her mother, meaning that she is still not standing up for herself.
Sammy's eagerness in telling his father that the family had moved into the barn further demonstrates that Sarah has really taught her son how to stand up for himself, and he was anxious to test his newfound confidence. Adoniram was frightened when he walked in the new house. He did not know what to do when Sarah took control of the situation, and he for the first time, would be obedient to Sarah.
Just as Sarah asserted herself against her husband in "The Revolt of ‘Mother,'" millions of women have since then and still do today. A