My Evil Mother

by Margaret Atwood • 2022 • 32 pages

3.88

84.9K ratings

Short Stories Fantasy Historical Fiction

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Plot Summary

Mother's Mysterious Powers

Mother's peculiar influence revealed

In a 1950s Toronto suburb, a teenage girl grapples with her mother's strange powers. Her mother, who claims to use her "evil" for good, is a neighborhood enigma, offering mysterious help to women in distress. The daughter, skeptical yet intrigued, witnesses her mother's peculiar rituals, like grinding herbs and burning hair, which she claims protect against malevolent forces. Despite her mother's insistence on the power of the Universe, the daughter struggles with the social stigma of having an unconventional parent, especially when her mother disapproves of her boyfriend, Brian, predicting disaster if they stay together.

Neighborhood Oddities Unveiled

Community's wary perception of mother

The mother is an anomaly in their postwar neighborhood, where families are typically nuclear and mothers are homemakers. She performs neighborly duties but remains distant, her aura unsettling to others. The daughter observes her mother's interactions with troubled women, suspecting her of being a clandestine advisor. Despite the mother's insistence on her influence over local events, the daughter is torn between belief and skepticism, especially as she faces ridicule at school due to her mother's reputation. The mother's cryptic warnings and rituals, like burning hair to prevent harm, add to the daughter's confusion and resentment.

Brian's Doomed Romance

Mother's warning ends relationship

The daughter's relationship with Brian is abruptly ended by her mother's ominous prediction of a car accident. Despite her affection for Brian, the daughter is compelled to break up with him, fearing her mother's foretelling. The mother claims the Universe has deemed Brian's fate unavoidable, and the daughter, though skeptical, cannot shake the ingrained belief in her mother's powers. The breakup is painful, and the daughter buries Brian's photo, wishing for his return. Years later, Brian's tragic end as a drug dealer seems to validate her mother's warning, leaving the daughter with lingering doubts about her mother's foresight.

Father's Unexpected Return

Father's reappearance and revelations

At twenty-three, the daughter reconnects with her estranged father, who reveals his past struggles with alcoholism and imprisonment. He explains his absence as a necessary separation orchestrated by her mother, who deemed him a weak influence. The daughter learns that her father had sent her gifts through her mother, which she never knew were from him. This revelation reshapes her understanding of her parents' relationship and her mother's protective, albeit manipulative, nature. Despite the initial anger, the daughter finds some solace in her father's efforts to rebuild his life and their tentative relationship.

Revelations Over Lunch

Father's past and mother's influence

During a lunch meeting, the father shares his journey from alcoholism to sobriety, working in social services. He admits to being overwhelmed by the mother's strong personality and her decision to end their marriage. The daughter, who had believed her father's absence was due to desertion, gains a new perspective on her mother's controlling nature. The father acknowledges the mother's protective instincts, even if they were misguided. This meeting provides the daughter with a deeper understanding of her family's dynamics and the complexities of her mother's character.

Mother's Decline and Battles

Mother's health and mythical battles

As the mother ages, her eccentricities intensify, and her health declines. She claims to be engaged in nightly battles with her old nemesis, Miss Scace, a former gym teacher she accuses of witchcraft. The daughter, now a mother herself, struggles to reconcile her childhood beliefs with her mother's fantastical stories. Despite her skepticism, she worries about her mother's well-being and the impact of these delusions on her own children. The mother's decline is marked by a loss of interest in her once-meticulous rituals, signaling the end of an era of magical thinking.

Legacy of Witchcraft

Passing down the mystical legacy

The daughter, now a mother, faces her own challenges with a rebellious teenage daughter. In a moment of frustration, she invokes her mother's legacy of witchcraft, hinting at powers passed down through generations. This playful yet poignant exchange highlights the enduring influence of the mother's stories and the daughter's ambivalence about her own beliefs. As the daughter reflects on her mother's life and death, she acknowledges the protective love that underpinned her mother's eccentricities, leaving her with a complex legacy to navigate and pass on to her own children.

Characters

Mother

Eccentric, protective, and mysterious

The mother is a complex figure, claiming to wield "evil" powers for good. Her mysterious aura and unconventional lifestyle set her apart in the neighborhood. She is fiercely protective of her daughter, using cryptic rituals and predictions to shield her from harm. Her eccentricities, such as burning hair and consulting tarot cards, create tension and curiosity. Despite her daughter's skepticism, the mother's influence is profound, shaping her daughter's perceptions of reality and family. Her decline reveals a softer side, as she admits to fabricating stories to protect her daughter, leaving a legacy of love and mystery.

Daughter

Skeptical yet influenced by mother

The daughter navigates adolescence under the shadow of her mother's peculiarities. Torn between belief and skepticism, she struggles with the social stigma of having an unconventional parent. Her relationship with her mother is marked by both defiance and dependence, as she grapples with the implications of her mother's predictions and rituals. The daughter's journey from rebellion to understanding reflects her complex relationship with her mother's legacy. As she becomes a mother herself, she confronts the challenge of balancing her inherited beliefs with the desire to provide a normal upbringing for her own children.

Brian

Charming but doomed boyfriend

Brian is the daughter's teenage love interest, whose relationship with her is abruptly ended by the mother's ominous prediction. Despite his charm and the daughter's affection, he is deemed a danger by the mother, who foresees a fatal car accident. Brian's subsequent life choices and tragic end as a drug dealer seem to validate the mother's warning, leaving the daughter with lingering doubts about her mother's foresight. His character serves as a catalyst for the daughter's internal conflict between belief in her mother's powers and the desire for independence.

Father

Estranged, reformed, and misunderstood

The father is a figure of mystery and absence in the daughter's life, initially believed to have deserted the family. His return reveals a past marred by alcoholism and imprisonment, and a present dedicated to sobriety and social work. His relationship with the daughter is tentative, marked by revelations of his efforts to maintain contact through gifts. The father's story provides a counterpoint to the mother's narrative, offering the daughter a more nuanced understanding of her family's dynamics and her mother's protective, yet controlling, nature.

Miss Scace

Imagined nemesis and scapegoat

Miss Scace, the daughter's former gym teacher, is portrayed by the mother as a malevolent witch and lifelong adversary. The mother's tales of their mythical battles and Miss Scace's alleged misdeeds serve as a backdrop for her eccentricities. While the daughter initially dismisses these stories as delusions, they symbolize the mother's struggle with perceived threats and her desire to protect her family. Miss Scace's character highlights the mother's tendency to externalize her fears and the daughter's challenge in discerning reality from fantasy.

Plot Devices

Magical Realism

Blurring lines between reality and fantasy

The story employs magical realism to explore the daughter's perception of her mother's powers. The mother's rituals and predictions, while fantastical, are presented as plausible within the narrative's context. This device blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, reflecting the daughter's internal conflict and the influence of her mother's beliefs. The magical elements serve as metaphors for the mother's protective instincts and the daughter's struggle to reconcile her inherited beliefs with her desire for independence and normalcy.

Unreliable Narration

Questioning the truth of events

The narrative is shaped by the daughter's perspective, which is influenced by her mother's eccentricities and the social stigma surrounding them. The mother's stories and predictions are presented as both fantastical and plausible, leaving the daughter—and the reader—to question their truth. This device highlights the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship and the daughter's journey from skepticism to understanding. The unreliable narration underscores the theme of perception versus reality, as the daughter navigates her mother's legacy and her own beliefs.

Analysis

Exploration of maternal influence and identity

"My Evil Mother" delves into the complexities of maternal influence and the formation of identity. Through the lens of magical realism, the story examines the daughter's struggle to reconcile her mother's eccentricities with her own desire for normalcy. The mother's protective instincts, though unconventional, shape the daughter's perceptions of reality and family. The narrative explores themes of belief, skepticism, and the enduring impact of parental influence. Ultimately, the story highlights the daughter's journey toward understanding and acceptance, as she navigates the legacy of her mother's love and mystery, and the challenge of passing it on to her own children.

Last updated: February 2, 2025

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Synopsis & Basic Details

What is My Evil Mother about?

Unconventional Mother-Daughter Bond: The story explores the complex relationship between a teenage girl and her eccentric mother, who claims to be "evil" but uses her powers for good.
Magical Realism in Suburbia: Set in a 1950s Toronto suburb, the narrative blends everyday life with elements of magic and the supernatural, as the mother engages in mysterious rituals and makes uncanny predictions.
Navigating Belief and Skepticism : The daughter grapples with her mother's unconventional beliefs and actions, torn between skepticism and the ingrained sense that her mother possesses real power.

Why should I read My Evil Mother?

Unique Blend of Genres : The story offers a compelling mix of coming-of-age, family drama, and magical realism, creating a captivating and thought-provoking reading experience.
Exploration of Complex Relationships : It delves into the intricacies of the mother-daughter dynamic, exploring themes of love, resentment, and the lasting impact of parental influence.
Subtle Social Commentary : The narrative subtly critiques societal expectations of women and mothers, while also examining the power of belief and the nature of reality.

What is the background of My Evil Mother?

Post-War Suburban Setting : The story is set in a rapidly expanding Toronto suburb in the 1950s, a time of social conformity and traditional gender roles, which contrasts with the mother's unconventional nature.
Cultural Context of Witchcraft : The narrative draws on historical and cultural ideas about witchcraft and magic, using them as a lens through which to examine the mother's character and actions.
Personal vs. Societal Norms : The story highlights the tension between the mother's unique worldview and the expectations of the surrounding community, creating a sense of otherness and isolation.

What are the most memorable quotes in My Evil Mother?

"I take that as a compliment. Yes, I'm evil, as others might define that term. But I use my evil powers only for good." : This quote encapsulates the mother's self-aware and paradoxical nature, defining her as a force that defies conventional morality.
"Respect is better than like." : This quote reveals the mother's pragmatic and unconventional approach to social interactions, prioritizing respect over popularity, a theme that contrasts with her daughter's desire to be liked.
"I didn't want you to feel defenseless in the face of life. Life can be harsh. I wanted you to feel protected, and to know that there was a greater power watching over you." : This quote, spoken by the mother near the end, reveals the underlying motivation behind her eccentric behavior, highlighting her deep love and desire to protect her daughter.

What writing style, narrative choices, and literary techniques does Margaret Atwood use?

First-Person Retrospective Narration : The story is told from the daughter's point of view, looking back on her childhood and adolescence, which allows for a nuanced and reflective exploration of her relationship with her mother.
Blend of Realism and Magical Realism: Atwood seamlessly integrates fantastical elements into an otherwise realistic setting, creating a sense of ambiguity and wonder that challenges the reader's perception of reality.
Subtle Irony and Humor : The narrative is infused with a dry wit and subtle irony, which adds depth and complexity to the characters and their interactions, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking.

Hidden Details & Subtle Connections

What are some minor details that add significant meaning?

The Mother's Aprons: The mother's collection of aprons with seasonal themes, initially presented as a quirky detail, subtly hints at her connection to natural cycles and possibly her magical practices.
The Red Plastic Hat : The red plastic hat used to cover the bowl of garlic mixture foreshadows the mother's later use of pointing, a method of directing spells, and the color red's association with power and danger.
The Garden Gnome : The garden gnome, initially a whimsical explanation for the father's absence, becomes a symbol of the mother's ability to transform reality and her control over the narrative.

What are some subtle foreshadowing and callbacks?

The Pink Angora Sweater : The daughter's desire for the pink angora sweater, which materializes mysteriously, foreshadows the later revelation that her father sent it, highlighting the mother's manipulation of information.
The Hair Burning Ritual : The mother's insistence on burning hair combings, initially presented as a quirky ritual, is later revealed to be a practice to ward off malevolent forces, connecting to her claims of battling Miss Scace.
The "You'll Know Better When You Grow Up" Line : The mother's repeated use of "You'll know better when you grow up" creates a sense of mystery and foreshadows the daughter's eventual understanding of her mother's motivations.

What are some unexpected character connections?

The Father and the Pink Sweater: The connection between the father and the pink angora sweater, revealed much later, shows the mother's control over the narrative and her manipulation of the daughter's perception of her parents.
Miss Scace and the Mother's Past: The connection between Miss Scace and the mother's past, revealed through the mother's fantastical stories, suggests a deeper, more complex history than initially presented.
The Daughter and Her Own Daughter: The final scene, where the daughter uses her mother's tactics on her own daughter, highlights the cyclical nature of maternal influence and the enduring legacy of the mother's beliefs.

Who are the most significant supporting characters?

Brian: Brian serves as a catalyst for the daughter's internal conflict between her mother's predictions and her own desires, and his tragic end reinforces the mother's perceived power.
The Father: The father's return and revelations provide a counter-narrative to the mother's version of events, offering the daughter a more nuanced understanding of her family's dynamics.
Miss Scace: Miss Scace, though largely a figment of the mother's imagination, represents the mother's fears and anxieties, and serves as a scapegoat for her perceived struggles.

Psychological, Emotional, & Relational Analysis

What are some unspoken motivations of the characters?

The Mother's Need for Control: The mother's seemingly eccentric behavior stems from a deep-seated need to control her environment and protect her daughter, even if it means manipulating reality.
The Daughter's Desire for Acceptance: The daughter's struggle with her mother's unconventionality is driven by her desire for social acceptance and a normal life, which clashes with her ingrained belief in her mother's powers.
The Father's Guilt and Redemption: The father's return is motivated by a sense of guilt over his past actions and a desire for redemption, which is complicated by his fear of his ex-wife.

What psychological complexities do the characters exhibit?

The Mother's Delusions and Reality: The mother's blurring of reality and fantasy suggests a complex psychological state, where her need to protect her daughter manifests as elaborate stories and rituals.
The Daughter's Internal Conflict: The daughter's internal conflict between skepticism and belief highlights her struggle to reconcile her rational mind with her emotional attachment to her mother.
The Father's Avoidance and Responsibility: The father's avoidance of his past and his eventual acceptance of responsibility reveal a complex psychological journey from denial to self-awareness.

What are the major emotional turning points?

The Breakup with Brian: The breakup with Brian is a major emotional turning point for the daughter, as she is forced to confront the power of her mother's predictions and her own feelings of loss.
The Father's Return: The father's return is a turning point that challenges the daughter's understanding of her family history and forces her to reevaluate her mother's narrative.
The Mother's Confession: The mother's confession that she made up the stories to protect her daughter is a major emotional turning point, as it forces the daughter to confront the truth about her mother's motivations.

How do relationship dynamics evolve?

Mother-Daughter Power Struggle: The mother-daughter relationship evolves from a power struggle during the daughter's adolescence to a more nuanced understanding in adulthood, marked by both resentment and love.
Daughter's Shifting Perspective on Father: The daughter's perspective on her father shifts from resentment and abandonment to a more sympathetic understanding of his struggles and his relationship with her mother.
The Cyclical Nature of Maternal Influence : The final scene, where the daughter uses her mother's tactics on her own daughter, highlights the cyclical nature of maternal influence and the enduring legacy of the mother's beliefs.

Interpretation & Debate

Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?

The Extent of the Mother's Powers: The extent of the mother's actual powers remains ambiguous, leaving the reader to question whether her predictions and rituals are genuine or simply a product of her imagination.
The Nature of Miss Scace: The true nature of Miss Scace and her relationship with the mother remains open to interpretation, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.
The Daughter's Final Beliefs: The daughter's final beliefs about her mother's powers and her own potential for witchcraft remain ambiguous, leaving the reader to ponder the enduring influence of her upbringing.

What are some debatable, controversial scenes or moments in My Evil Mother?

The Mother's Manipulation: The mother's manipulation of her daughter's life, particularly her interference in her relationships, raises questions about the ethics of parental control and the boundaries of protection.
The Father's Absence: The father's absence and his later revelations about his alcoholism and imprisonment raise questions about his responsibility and the impact of his actions on his daughter.
The Mother's "Evil" Powers: The mother's claim to use "evil" powers for good challenges conventional morality and raises questions about the nature of good and evil.

My Evil Mother Ending Explained: How It Ends & What It Means

The Daughter's Acceptance: The ending shows the daughter embracing her mother's legacy, using her tactics on her own daughter, suggesting a cyclical pattern of maternal influence and the enduring power of belief.
The Ambiguity of Truth : The ending leaves the reader questioning the nature of truth and reality, as the daughter's final beliefs about her mother's powers remain ambiguous.
The Legacy of Protection : The ending highlights the mother's underlying motivation to protect her daughter, even if her methods were unconventional, suggesting that love and protection can manifest in complex and unexpected ways.