“Do you know
what this town is saying about me?” my mother answers from above. ‘‘They say
that my daughter is common, a slut’” (22).
Although
her mother doesn’t say this, Meredith thinks of herself as slut because she knows
that this is exactly what’s going on in her mother’s mind. When Meredith thinks
of her mother, she doesn’t think of her mother asking her about how she and the
baby are doing. This is because she is aware that her mother is more concerned
about herself and the community than her own daughter who is in extreme need of
support at this time. Her parents are mostly to be blamed for what she did. Now
they are acting like it is all Meredith’s fault, and are trying to make her feel
guilty for her “shameful” act. I am so upset at this. I mean why wouldn’t they
accept that it’s their fault that they didn’t pay enough attention to their
daughter, and stop blaming their daughter for the taunts that they get from the
community? I think that even if they don’t take the blame on themselves they
should at least be helpful to their daughter. Who leaves a 16 year old in a rough
situation like this and that too all alone? Did they forget that they are her
parents and they should be supporting their daughter no matter what? Her
parents are backing away from their duty so they should be ashamed of
themselves.
I responded to the same quote yo! I agree that Meredith's mom basically failed at being a mother and sucks at supporting her daughter. That makes me super mad because Meredith is going through an incredibly tough time and she is 100% alone. Furthermore, I don't necessarily agree that Meredith's pregnancy is really her parent's fault. They might partially be at fault, but Meredith was old enough to know her limits and control herself. I think her teenage desire got the best of her and I don't think there's anything wrong in taking risks and making mistakes. I know that this slip up resulted in a life being brought into this world, but people have to deal with the consequences of their action, whether good or bad. I think Meredith was an extremely strong young woman.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that her parents are changing the tables and making it all her fault. When they are really are the ones who made her go into hiding and not talk to anyone or do anything. They seemed to forget as parents that you should be the ones who are supporting your daughter in good and bad and not making their life more miserable than it is.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first chapter, it is clear that Meredith's other abandoned her even before she gets pregnant. Meredy's pregnancy ends up being a convenient way for her to abdicate blame--making it all the more impressive to me that Meredith loves her parents as she does.
ReplyDelete