Mother daughter relationship in Mary Gordon's Cleaning Up (short Essay

Mother daughter relationship in Mary Gordons Cleaning Up (short story) - Essay Exampleut working for what you receive therefore, Loretta never bathes for fear that she would be putting herself in the camp of the Lavins children (p. xx). Although she doesnt like children, she makes an effort to go after herself in play with the oldest child, John Lavin, as her way of paying her board (p. xx). She knew her bring forth would have expected this of her. Although it is never written that the Lavin family is anything but accommodating during Lorettas stay, Loretta constantly feels like an outsider. She is convinced that her mothers actions caused Martine Lavin, the materfamilias of the family, and other company members to see her as an inferior person. Later, when she becomes a well-educated woman, she still feels that her old community would condemn her because of her mothers earlier behavior.Cleaning Up is, in parts, consistent with Gordons life. In the story, Loretta attains the sa me level of education that Gordon currently has. Lorettas pre-college schooling is better than what Gordon was provided, but both establish a Masters degree and use it to teach. Mother Perpetua is Lorettas greatest influence. According to an meshing biography, Gordon received the same kind of influence from Elizabeth Hardwick and Janice Thaddeus. Gordon actually considered becoming a nun, a lifestyle that Loretta alike briefly contemplates. Finally, Lorettas work ethic is similar to Gordons. Gordon worked to support herself, just like Loretta. Against her mothers advice, Gordon performed secretarial work and babysat for Thaddeus to put herself through school. Gordons own mother, though disfigured from and afflicted with polio, in like manner worked as a secretary to support her family because her husband wouldnt.The fact that Loretta strives as hard as her mother would have wanted her to, makes it clear that Loretta loved her mother despite the turmoil shed created. Even though Loretta never saw her mother again, she thinks about