The Wide, Wide World

The Wide, Wide World seems to examine parents as instructional tools. Ellen’s mother is her main guiding light, teaching her how to become the perfect lady as well as a high moral and spiritual code. Although Mrs. Montgomery is portrayed as a very loving mother she is also very stern with Ellen. Throughout the entire reading Ellen was reprimanded for showing too much emotion. Every time she began to cry her mother would tell her to that she should “try to compose [herself]” and that crying would only end up hurting both of them even more (p24). Mrs. Montgomery also strongly advised Ellen to put her full trust in the Lord and even told her that “if you love anybody or anything better than Jesus Christ, you cannot be one of his children.” (p51)
The text makes a clear division between mothers and fathers concerning sentiment and attachment to children. Mrs. Montgomery is always trying to keep her emotions level in order to consequently keep Ellen’s emotions level; however, she is deeply moved and sorrowed by the parting that the future brings. This affliction is evident in the scene where Mrs. Montgomery is trying to sleep on the night before Ellen must leave but lays in bed in vain and dread. The fact that Ellen must leave does not seem to bother Mr. Montgomery in the least. “He seemed very pleased” when he broke the news to his wife about finding a suitable acquaintance to take Ellen to Thirlwall. (p70). The most obvious division of mother and father lies in the love Ellen holds for the two of them. It seems as though she has no regard for her father and so much love for her mother that she is lovesick. At the very end of the reading, Ellen cannot even remember how she got into the carriage or for that matter saying goodbye to her father. The only thing that is plaguing her is the horror of leaving her mother.
Ellen perceives her mother in the highest esteem. When the old gentleman asks her if she would rather have something for herself or for her mother, Ellen retorts immediately with “Oh, for mamma, sir.” (p65) This is not a typical response of a young child but it is clear that Ellen really does put her mother before anything else in her own life.