Is the Mom in “Brother” by David Chariandy a Good Mother PDF

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“Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are.” This was a quote said by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Just because one may have a child does not mean that they are a mother but, a mother is a spot earned because of the things one does. In “Brother” by David Chariandy, the mother of the ...

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Is the Mom in “Brother” by David Chariandy a Good Mother? “Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are.” This was a quote said by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Just because one may have a child does not mean that they are a mother but, a mother is a spot earned because of the things one does. In “Brother” by David Chariandy, the mother of the two boys, Francis and Micheal, is a Modern-day independent woman who works multiple jobs around the city and tries her best to provide for her children. She is both the mother and father of her sons as their father left when they were born. Mother was not a great mother because of the pressure she put onto her sons, her emotional unavailability after Francis left, and her overdramatic rules. Throughout the chapters of this novel, there are cut scenes to before Francis left home and this gives us a look into the family’s early life. Mother was very strict and clear with her instructions and what she expected out of the boys. ““I braced for all hell to break loose…” (pg 18). This quote was said after one summer day when Mother collapsed on the couch and Francis offered her orange juice that was not as diluted as she had always instructed. Micheal watched this happen in fear of Mother getting angry. Although Mother was strict, Francis made many mistakes in his life. “...He was expelled with threats to call the police.” (pg 24). Francis was expelled from school and from then decided to quit school fully. This led him to become friends with some people that his mom considered poor friend choices. Mother was a very strict mother in the early years of both the sons life, but after Francis left, she became very emotionally unavailable. Francis leaving was traumatic for everyone in his life, from his brother to his best friend, but Mother took it the hardest. Mother became closed off and erratic with her behaviour. “I've given away things belonging to Francis that might remind or disturb.” (pg 33). Micheal got rid of

things belonging to Francis in order to keep his mother as sane as she can be. “She gets into states... it's not all the time.” (pg 68). Micheal says this after his neighbour told him and Aisha that his mother was spotted walking barefoot in the valley. He explains to Aisha that ever since Francis left, her behaviour has been unstable. Micheal sees his mother struggling a great deal and tries to let everyone else know so that they don't unsettle Mother. Mother tried her best to remain strong for Micheal but she could not. Mother had many moments as well where she could overreact but sometimes the children would also not listen to her. “But one hot summer day, when mother collapsed on the couch, shaking her head at all, offered food, unwilling to take a sip of water or even to open her eyes…” (pg 18). Mother refused to eat or drink in order to not wound her pride or break any of the rules she had put in place. This not only stressed the boys out, but Francis was 12 years old trying to struggle to keep and maintain his mother's consciousness when she did nothing to help the situation at all. When Francis was found out to have been hanging out with his friends his mother didn't approve of, Mother gave him a lecture. “You will never be a criminal!” (pg25). Francis was used to mother yelling at him while later he could walk away but this time mother did not let him ignore her. He started laughing and Mother struck him with a brass key in her hand causing him to laugh again as if it was “somehow a victory.” In “Brother” by David Chariandy, the mother of the two boys, Francis and Micheal, is a Modern-day independent woman who works multiple jobs around the city and tries her best to provide for her children. She is both the mother and father of her sons as their father left when they were born. Mother was not a great mother because of the pressure she put onto her sons, her emotional unavailability after Francis left, and her overdramatic rules. She made mistakes like

any other mother but also faced trauma which made her emotionally unavailable to her other son, hence Mother was not a good mother....