# How does Mary, Mary develop the theme of Freedom and Independence?

> Mary, Mary by James Stephens

## Answer

Mary, Mary by James Stephens develops Freedom and Independence across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

The mother preaches a gospel of personal freedom and dignity, insisting that one must work but never be a slave, and opposes any encroachment on autonomy, while Mary begins to seek her own path, torn between her mother's embrace and the wider world.

Mary's unsupervised days wandering Dublin offer a form of freedom, yet her loneliness and longing for connection reveal the limits of that independence.

Mary's solitary walk and observation of birds and deer evoke a longing for freedom and escape from her constrained life.

Mary's aimless wandering in the park symbolizes her yearning for escape from the burdens of poverty and caregiving.

## Evidence

- [vi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/vi.md): Mary's unsupervised days wandering Dublin offer a form of freedom, yet her loneliness and longing for connection reveal the limits of that independence.
- [ix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/ix.md): Mary's solitary walk and observation of birds and deer evoke a longing for freedom and escape from her constrained life.
- [xv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xv.md): Mary's aimless wandering in the park symbolizes her yearning for escape from the burdens of poverty and caregiving.
- [xxi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxi.md): The chapter contrasts the constrained social freedom between women (bound by politeness and ceremony) with the greater freedom between men and women, highlighting the lack of true independence for women in their own sex.
- [xxiii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxiii.md): Mrs. Makebelieve passionately advocates for inner freedom and dignity despite servitude, contrasting with Mary's vision of sheltered convent life.
- [xxix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mary_mary_se/chapters/xxix.md): The young man's hostility toward authority figures like policemen and soldiers expresses a yearning for national and personal freedom.

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