Mother-Son Affection

Term Paper # 115851

Child, Youth Issues > Family Issues
Psychology

An analysis of the communication and affection between mother and son, based on C.S. Lewis' work "Four Loves".

1,310 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that the relationship that is most defined by the art of communication is that between a mother and a son. The paper examines C.S. Lewis' "Four Loves", where Lewis focuses on a mother's affection for her son, which can be detrimental if the gift-love of the mother isn't reciprocated or needed after a certain point in the son's life. The paper illustrates this with Lewis' example of Mrs. Fidget and then applies these principles to the writer's relationship between his own mother and his brother. The writer then describes how his mother needs to feel needed but this is not being reciprocated by his brother. According to the writer, when affection is not needed on the part of the receiver, the giver becomes embittered because she feels useless.

From the Paper:

"In the paradigm of schemata, there are delineations; these delineations are, self-schemata, event schemata, role schemata, and person schemata. The focus that will be addressed is on role schemata. The role of the mother toward a son in particular is one that is filled with many nuances. I have observed in my own family how my mother and my brother interact with one another. C.S. Lewis debates on the supposed affection which can be detrimental towards this delicate relationship if the gift-love of the mother isn't reciprocated or needed after a certain point in the son's life; Lewis gives Mrs. Fidget as an example, "She continued all these practices because if she had dropped them she would have been faced with the fact she was determined not to see; would have known that she was not necessary" (Lewis, 81)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Canary, Daniel J. Michael J. Cody and Valerie L. Manusov. Four Important Cognitive Processes.
Lewis, C.S. The Four Loves. Phoenix Press. Walker and Company New York. 1960.