Throughout the Semester
A look back at Comm 411 through the eyes of Victoria Shaffer
Mothers in Novels:
Life on the Refrigerator revealed the significance of communication between mothers and daughters. It also showed me how important it is to have a relationship with your caregiver. My mother and I never had the best relationship and honestly, after reading that book I realized that I needed to rekindle my friendship with her because you never know how short your life could be. It made me realize that there is nothing more important to mothers than her own child. No matter how strong a person tries to come off as, everyone needs help or someone to lean on sometimes.
Mothers in Film:
Although the mother in Home Alone was not a very prominent character in the movie, when she was shown she was portrayed as a worried and caring mother that just wanted to get to her child in need. Throughout the movie you saw her going to any extreme to get back home to Kevin. Whether it was offering an elderly couple first class tickets and her extremely expensive watch in effort to switch flights or riding in a very cramped van with a group of men she didn’t know. She displayed the bravery and dedication that many mothers have when it comes to caring for their children.
Mothers in Television:
Mothers in the News
Mothers in Advertising:
Mothers in Magazines:
Feminine Mystique:
Mothers in Disney Films:
Mothers in Children's Books:
“Mothers in Children’s Books” was a refreshing project to do after the Disney film one because mothers in books are portrayed completely different than they are in movies. First off, they are actually present in children’s stories and they are as loving and caring as can be. Although they do tend to overdo it on the love aspect, it does represent how mothers truly feel about their children even if they do not express it quite as frequently. It was enjoyable to go back and read some of the stories that my mom used to read to me as a child and reflect back on those precious moments we had alone.
Mothers in Lyrics:
Surveys:
Sending out surveys to real life mothers was a fun project to do. I loved seeing how mothers responded to things and the harsh truths about parenting. My most memorable part of the surveys was when some mothers put what movies they felt portrayed their style of motherhood because some of their ideas were seriously hysterical. Some were a little concerning because they were movies that were a little more aggressive than I would imagine being a parent would be but I mean, if that’s how they felt then no judgement. They just may need to be supervised so they don’t drop their kid in a cheetah pit.
To My Mother,
I’m actually surprised with how long it took me to figure out what I was going to thank you for. Not because you haven’t done enough, but because you have done too much. 250 words could not even begin to cover the amount of things you have done for me throughout my life. I genuinely could not imagine getting to where I am today without the help and support you have given me and continue to give every day, no matter what I am trying to accomplish. Thank you for the countless memories, being my shoulder to cry on, my protector, my loudest cheerleader (although you never could quite watch my cheer routines at competitions), my at-home doctor, the friend I could always count on and of course my inspiration. I have never met another woman as strong as you and I can only dream of being half as strong as you are through life. No matter what obstacle we were thrown and level of severity it was, you always came up with a plan and executed it until that problem was a thing of the past. You have given me the strength to overcome things I thought would consume me and bring me down as a person. If I could go back in time, I would make sure I appreciated every single thing you did for me a million times more. I know I do not thank you enough for everything you do for and have done. It does not go unnoticed and I know I wouldn’t be where I am without you. I love you, Tammie. Thank you for the life you have blessed me with.