A mother! What are we worth really? They all grow up…
“A mother! What are we worth really? They all grow up whether you look after them or not. That poor miserable brat of his is growing up, and I certainly licked the hide off her; and she's seen marriage at its worst, and now she's dreaming about 'supermen' and 'great men'. What is the good of doing anything for them?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator questions the value of caring for children who seem indifferent to parental effort.
In simple terms: Caring for children may feel futile when they grow regardless of attention.
Key Takeaway
Consider the intrinsic worth of nurturing beyond outcomes.
Themes
parenthood
existentialism
indifference
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family life
- child upbringing
- social work
- education policy
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology of care
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates caregiving despite uncertainty?
- How to balance love with realistic expectations?
A Different Perspective
Children’s autonomy challenges parental expectations.