The Revolt Of Mother The Power Of

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The Revolt Of Mother: The Power Of Decision Essay, Research Paper The Revolt of Mother: The Power of Decision Decisions shape our lives. In history , the decisions of leaders and generals have changed the course of mankind. In today’s world , multi-billion dollar corporations rest on the decisions of a few select executives. On a smaller but no less important scale, acting on decisions can liberate people from stagnation. In the story “The Revolt of Mother” the main character shows us the power of acting on decisions. Mother recognizes the wrongs of her situation and weighs the effect on her family. In the end she acts to free herself and her family from forty years of wrong. Mother lives forty years with a suppressed dream?a new house promised to her after her wedding.

She lives with the everyday routine of cleaning the house and cooking pies for the family. This shows the stagnation of her everyday existence; an existence brought about by forty years of non- decision. Mother stays content with her shack. “She was a masterly keeper of her box of a house. Her one living room never seemed to have in it any of the dust which the friction of life with inanimate matter produces”(LACpg.284). This shows the lack of empowerment mother has at this time of the story. This state is partly due to the society?a time that was male dominated and discouraged the wife to speak out?and partly because mother just feel into a routine that included everything except her happiness. I felt that mother centered her life around providing for her family but forgot

to look towards her own needs. She bakes pies, cooks dinner and it everything else except things that made her happy. Mother discovers disturbing news when she learns that her future house is giving way to Father’s new barn. Mother would have probably let her dream die if it were not for a conversation with her daughter. Mother realizes that it’s not just her happiness involved. This breach of contract now involved the happiness of the family. Mother does something that changes her state: she decides and acts on it. Many times our personal happiness takes a back seat in a busy world. I forget my own need sometimes just trying to please loved ones?mom, dad, mom, dad. Sometimes when someone else’s happiness is in jeopardy I’m more inclined to act. Mother is ashamed that her

daughter is going to be married in such a small, drafty house. “I want you to look at the stairs that go up to them unfinished chambers that are all the places that our son an’ daughter have to sleep in all their lives. There ain’t a prettier girl in town nor a more ladylike than Nanny, an’ that’s the place she has to sleep in”(LAC pg. 286). Mother does something remarkable. Though she vehemently denies to doing so, Mother decides to complain. She complains to father and break the monotonous silence and complains. As far as we know Mrs. Penn has failed to do this for forty years. Though she gets a less than favorable response from her husband?”I ain’t got nothin’ to say”?it is the first response about the subject in years. It’s a very important event because

Mrs. Penn gets the answer to her forty year question?no. The house is not going to be built. Mrs. Penn’s dream dies for now. Then a new opportunity shows the power of acting on decision. There is an old saying that says: When God closes a door he opens a window and a back door and a manhole and a secret entrance. There are always different solutions or second chances to resolve problems. Mrs. Penn acted on her first decision to confront her husband’s neglect of the family’s comfort. She tried and failed to change her husband’s mind. Opportunity presents Mrs. Penn another chance to set things right. Father leaves the family and newly built barn to take a buy a horse in Vermont. Earlier, Nanny, with gentle pettishness, suggested to have the wedding in the barn. This helps