What do you think about a mother protagonist in the fantasy world?

[Navillus]

I absolutely love mother protagonists~ I’ve only encountered a few stories of this kind but every one I’ve read has been quite enjoyable as it’s a completely different perspective then what I usually see in stories… it’s interesting to see the interactions with the child as well… usually these types stories have a male protagonist which usually come with a bunch of cliches I’ve seen a million times… so they tend to be like a breath of fresh air-nyah.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I've actually encountered one manga like that, but it was pretty hilarious. And I don't quite remember the title either, but it was something like "Everyone Fears My Mother's Double-Damage Attacks", or something like that. It is hilarious. ?

 

[Sylver]

As an aside, that was based on a novel, Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of Nimh - and the author was allegedly forced to change the names of some characters before it went to print, because the villains were all based blatantly on (rat) versions of people he worked with at The National Institute of Mental Health.

As someone who works in the field of Mental Health, I can totally see that

 

[Our_Lady_in_Twilight]

Have to jump in on the Rats of Nimh as well. Haven't thought about that story in years but Mrs Frisby was a great example of a mother protagonist. And her concern for her son a fantastically fresh take for character motivation.

 

[Worthy39]

I've actually encountered one manga like that, but it was pretty hilarious. And I don't quite remember the title either, but it was something like "Everyone Fears My Mother's Double-Damage Attacks", or something like that. It is hilarious. ?

I believe I've heard of that one, and I think there's an incredibly similar one that got an anime with a sister who has an instant kill attack.

But before I take the thread totally off course, a mother protagonist probably wouldn't be enough to get me to read a story, but if it seems like a genre I'm a fan of, it wouldn't put me off either.

 

[LIKAAM]

Mother Protagonists
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I love mother protagonists, because besides being rarely mentioned, mother protagonists are also relatable to real life and provide authentic family drama. So the focus of the story is not only on the outside world but also the inner world (family). Two mother protagonists that I like are Mama Cayna (Leadale) and Mama Azusa (Slime Taoshite 300nen).

The questions are:

1. What do you think about a mother protagonist in the fantasy world?
2. Do you like a mother protagonist in the fantasy world?
3. Why aren't there many (not none) fictions that make a mother protagonist, not just as a backdrop but as the center of the narrative?

Critical Note:
I'm referring to wholesome or heartwarming family-based fantasy stories. This thread is not intended to discuss fiction that exploits mother protagonists in any way (I hate mothers being physically, mentally, economically, or even sexually abused, even if it's just fiction).

I deeply respect mothers, as I love my mother in real life. Therefore, I only want to discuss family fantasies with mother protagonists that emphasize the mother-children bond (without the addition of romantic elements that weaken the mother-children bond, if possible).

We might become mothers. So please respect the mothers, even if it's fictional. Because respecting the mothers is the same as respecting your future (female) version.

I agree. Where would we be without mothers?! A major part of being a woman is motherhood. It defines us and our decisions. A man can procreate and move on without even a thought. (In many parts of our world.) However, every sexual encounter a female has, needs to consider motherhood. In my fantasy world, I deal with the issue, with contracts. Any female who becomes pregnant enters a contract with the father for the sake of the child. I do disagree that, romantic elements weaken the mother-child bond,... but I'm not arguing the point. Any and all female characters should mention the fact that motherhood is an element. To disregard that possibility is unrealistic.

To answer your questions. 1. I think it's a great idea. 2. Yes I do! 3. Because we don't have enough female authors (and male) who consider it. We do usually write fantasy's after all. Many authors like to gloss over the idea that pregnancy can occur each and every time there is a romantic encounter. Sex and motherhood should be mentioned in the same sentence.

Thanks for the great post!

 

[minacia]

I think I was most into the idea of it during my baby fever period, but then afterwards I think the romanticism about it kind of melted away.

Hmm, how to put it? I just don’t think I could write a motherhood story. It’s easy for me to fantasize about a romantic interest or a lover but I feel like I can’t imagine a fictional child that I’m as attached to in any explicable way that makes any degree of logical sense. Or to put it any other way, I don’t want to be stressed about stressful things if there are kids involved. It’s exhausting enough already so I would just want it to be fuwa fuwa warm but that doesn’t make an interesting story.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

1- there are too few mother protagonists in fantasy, but its even worse in science fiction.
2- I really love parent protagonists, especially single parent protagonists, regardless of if they are on team pink, blue, or plaid.
3- I blame lingering trends from publishing companies preferences yestercentury. It was absolutely the case that writing a mother protagonist was a good way to not get your story published.
One manga I read recently was titled something like "I became the mother of the demon lord's eight children."

 

[MFontana]

Mother Protagonists
​

I love mother protagonists, because besides being rarely mentioned, mother protagonists are also relatable to real life and provide authentic family drama. So the focus of the story is not only on the outside world but also the inner world (family). Two mother protagonists that I like are Mama Cayna (Leadale) and Mama Azusa (Slime Taoshite 300nen).

The questions are:

1. What do you think about a mother protagonist in the fantasy world?
2. Do you like a mother protagonist in the fantasy world?
3. Why aren't there many (not none) fictions that make a mother protagonist, not just as a backdrop but as the center of the narrative?

Critical Note:
I'm referring to wholesome or heartwarming family-based fantasy stories. This thread is not intended to discuss fiction that exploits mother protagonists in any way (I hate mothers being physically, mentally, economically, or even sexually abused, even if it's just fiction).

I deeply respect mothers, as I love my mother in real life. Therefore, I only want to discuss family fantasies with mother protagonists that emphasize the mother-children bond (without the addition of romantic elements that weaken the mother-children bond, if possible).

We might become mothers. So please respect the mothers, even if it's fictional. Because respecting the mothers is the same as respecting your future (female) version.

Personally, as a protagonist I'm not a huge fan; but it can certainly be done well. It all comes down to the type of story, and its implementation.
I tend to prefer it when a Mother is portrayed well as a Mother in the story, traditionally in a mentoring, nurturing, and caring, supportive role, as long as they don't get the 'Dragonball' treatment (ChiChi, Bulma, Videl... and so on).

One of the best portrayals (in my opinion) was Kali in RWBY.

For me, it comes down to the Adventure sub-genre typical to Fantasy stories, and the dangers that come with adventuring, as for why I'm not overly fond of having a Mother be the protagonist to such a story.
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This, however, is separate from having a "maternal" or "motherly" protagonist. IE: A female lead who fills a maternal role in the story, but is not actually a mother (yet?, but that could be her arc's end-point). In which case, I would strongly encourage the pursuit of writing such a leading lady.

It ultimately all comes down to the story you want to tell.

 

[ConansWitchBaby]

They're pretty damn useless in fantasy stories. Usually it is always attached to something else that takes precedence to being a mother and that something is what makes the primary core of the mother. Tends to be a random tack on to the character.

Not only that but I do speak to juvenile detention workers, social workers, etc. and the common universal consensus is that mothers kinda suck in keeping children within basic moral and ethical societal limits by themselves. Fathers ftw. Been trying to engage with more people that create groupings of single mothers without the negative stigma of the former professions to find better cases. Shame that the few and growing numbers of interactions has still kept this dichotomy solid. Yes yes, rave about the outliers to make yourselves feel better. Don't make me bring out the nature vs nurture studies.