Short Fiction · Character
Ma
A maternal figure in one or more stories.
minor
First appearance: ii
Ma's tie to Violet Gusterson is one of the pressures that moves Short Fiction—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
The mother, who is often sick and miserable but perks up when the strangers arrive, showing interest in their way of life.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With Violet Gusterson (family): Ma is Violet Gusterson's mother, often exasperated by her daughter's dramatic behavior. With Pa (family): Ma and Pa are a long-married couple whose relationship is defined by quiet…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Ma sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Ma in iiCharacter Web
60 connectionsA slice of how Ma sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Family
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Core character ensemble
- Protagonist
+55 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This moment is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the pro…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Violet Gusterson
family · ambivalent
Ma is Violet Gusterson's mother, often exasperated by her daughter's dramatic behavior. How this plays out →
- Pa
family · positive
- Simon Great
friendship · positive
- Violet Gusterson
family · ambivalent
Ma is Violet Gusterson's mother, often exasperated by her daughter's dramatic behavior. How this plays out →
- Simon Great
friendship · positive
- Pa
family · positive
- Pa
family · positive
- Simon Great
friendship · positive
- Violet Gusterson
family · ambivalent
Ma is Violet Gusterson's mother, often exasperated by her daughter's dramatic behavior. How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Ma in iiIn the story
Ma appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
