Analysis of Helen Simpsons Homework free essay sample

She also seems to realize that it is just that, a dream, because she loves being a mother too. In the beginning of the story, George’s mom seems to enjoy being a â€Å"work from home† mother and wife. She makes him after-school snacks and asks how his day at school went. She takes the time to listen and give her insight to things. She talks about when he was a baby and refers to him as â€Å"a lovely mild baby, like a dewdrop† (Simpson 771). This statement is pure fondness of George. She also refers to his crying as a lion’s roar. These statements lead the reader to believe she enjoys being a mother and her life. While this is going on, she is helping him find a topic for his paper. This is something only a mother who adores her child would do, as most mothers want their children to do it on their own and learn that way. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of Helen Simpsons Homework or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When she finally decides on the topic for the paper, that is when the tone of the story changes a little bit and the reader gets to see how the mother might actually want a different life. The mother decides to have George write about her and his father getting a divorce; however, she is going to have the mom leave the dad. This is the first hint that maybe she is not one-hundred percent happy with how her life has turned out. She gives details about how his parents were always fighting, and he was trying to block it from his mind. When she finally gets to the divorce she has the dad have custody of George and the fake little brother; George would visit her on weekends. This is another hint that she might want a different life. She could have had George move with her, but she makes the dad have the kids. She might want more freedom in her life to do as she pleases. She also has the dad get a girlfriend, and changes the fake little brother to a fake older sister. Neither of the women can cook, so George would have to figure out how to make food. This is where she gets a little vindictive. She does not want them to be well off or too happy. She wants them to be a little bit miserable, even though she is giving the mother in the story a fun life. When she describes what the mother is doing after the divorce, it seems a bit wishful. She has the mother go around the world. She goes to Peru, Thailand and Australia. She even adds in little tidbits of what she would be doing while she is in those countries. She would go bungee jumping, backpacking or eating new foods. With how much detail she puts into these things, it seems as if she has been dreaming of actually doing them. One would think that she would rather be out doing those things than staying at home working or being a wife and a mother. It could be true; however, she also has parts that make it seem like she loves being a mother and wife. The beginning of the story and her overall fondness of George are evidence of this. While the mother might want to be living the life she describes, she also enjoys the life she has. She goes into great detail for his essay while making the reader believe that she wants that life. Despite that she also has moments where it is obvious that she loves being a mother. These details can lead to conflicting thoughts about what the mother truly wants to do with her life, so the reader can decide what they think. Works Cited Simpson, Helen. â€Å"Homework. † The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. Ed. Ann Charters. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 769-776. Print.