# The Child-Mother — Poetry character guide

> The Child-Mother in Poetry by George MacDonald.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Child, Mother

**First appearance:** 0036-the-child-mother

## Who they are

A young mother figure, possibly the Virgin Mary.

## In the story

### [Better Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/better-things)

Referenced indirectly through the image of teaching a child and the boy's aim

### [The Hills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-hills)

The companion met on the journey, a true-hearted woman who shares the quest.

### [The Child-Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-child-mother)

A solemn, loving nine-year-old girl who carries and protects a younger child, falling into a ditch but keeping the baby safe.

### [Songs of the Days and Nights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/songs-of-the-days-and-nights)

Referenced as 'child' dreaming and as a symbol of innocence and renewal.

### [The Golden Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-golden-key)

The boy's mother, who comforts him and whose kiss makes the rainbow rise again.

### [The Failing Track](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-failing-track)

Implied in the call to return to 'the childlike mind' and 'thy mother's knee'.

### [Tell Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/tell-me)

The child who asks about what lies over the hill and longs to ascend the stair.

### [A Dream of Waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-dream-of-waking)

The sister-babe who pleads with her mother to keep the baby, showing compassion and prophetic insight.

### [The Children’s Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-children-s-heaven)

The mother who sings to her baby but is inwardly troubled by fears and tears.

### [The Mistletoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-mistletoe)

Referred to as 'Mamy' whose hood contains a kiss.

### [Up in the Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/up-in-the-tree)

Implied as the listener being addressed, a childlike figure learning through the journey.

### [The Diary of an Old Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-diary-of-an-old-soul)

Imagined as a mother angel who opens the door to the knocking child.

### [September](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/september)

The little child searching in the stream, unaware of his father in the palace.

### [November](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/november)

Referenced as the daughter who leaves home for marriage, evoking memories of childhood and the mother's love.

### [A Threefold Cord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-threefold-cord)

Appears in 'The Pinafore' as the child who hides behind a pinafore and undergoes a mysterious inner change.

### [November, 1851](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/november-1851)

The child with 'eye of gladness' and the mother whose face shows sadness.

### [The Pinafore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-pinafore)

The child who hides behind the pinafore and undergoes a mysterious inner change.

### [Sharing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/sharing)

The gazing child who receives a thought of glory from the storm.

### [II: Sweeping the Floor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/ii-sweeping-the-floor)

The mother who tells the child that God goes sweeping while they sleep.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/child_mother
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters