The Wide, Wide World showed that parental figures come in many different varieties. From Captain Montgomery’s almost nonexistence, to Mrs. Montgomery’s constant and delicate presence, none of the adults in Ellen’s life were a complete parent for her by themselves.
Mrs. Montgomery provides the love and closeness every child needs, while Captain Montgomery is more of an intimidating authority figure. For example, in the few interactions he has with his only daughter, she is silent and intimidated by him, and even “shrinks” at the idea of going into her mother’s room “while her father was there” (p 76). He is not at all fatherly, but nothing is ever mentioned, as persistent absence was acceptable behavior for a father in the 19th century. Mrs. Montgomery, however, is kind and gentle, as a woman of her generation was taught to be, and she “understands” her daughter “far better” than anyone else in the world, as they are each other’s only companions (p 75). The old gentleman Ellen encounters in the fabric shop provides for her the things her own father doesn’t. He rescues her from the rude shopkeeper, and even sends her gifts after they meet, much in the way a grandfather would his favorite grandchild on a birthday.
The text shows that anyone who provides shelter, guidance, loving warmth or even pricey presents is a parental figure. Sadly, none of the people in Ellen’s life can or are willing to do all three.
Ellen desperately loves her mother, as is evidenced by her longing to be near her and do favors for her all day long. Her father intimidates her, and rightly so, as he seems rigid and does not like to deal with feelings, waiting until the last minute to tell his wife and daughter of their departures from each other, that way they “won’t have time to think about [their] feelings” (p. 72) as he didn’t want to have to deal with their emotions. The older gentleman, she adores for somewhat superficial reasons. She thought kind things of him when they first met, but after the gifts started arriving, she decided she would “always love” him (p. 68).
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I definitely agree with you on Ellen's parental figures. I think if Ellen's mother were well though she would be the mother that she needs. As for her father, he was certainly not very nurturing but I think back in those days he was what was expected of a father except for that whole ditching Ellen forever issue.
I like how you mentioned that none of the adults in her life were the complete package. Each of them lacked something that the other had. I couldn't have said it better myself. I suppose this does create some sort of balance in her life despite everything she is going through. She has her mom to go to for emotional needs, she has the old man for her material needs, and father is her protector.
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