# The Old Mother — The Mother character guide

> The Old Mother in The Mother by Pearl S. Buck.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the old mother, its, your

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

A grandmother who watches the rice seedlings against greedy birds, her sharp cries and long memory shaping the household's daily rhythms.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/i)

The blind, elderly grandmother who chatters incessantly, watches the door, and is dependent on the mother for care and food.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/ii)

Blind and frail, she watches the door, wears out burial robes, and jokes about her longevity. The mother cares for her with tenderness.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/iii)

An old woman who chatters and offers advice during the birth, later laughs at the boy's clever question.

### [The Man's Restlessness and the Quarrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/iv)

Present during the pedlar's visit, she comments on the pedlar's barren wife and engages in the bargaining.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/v)

Prattles constantly, believes the mother's tale about the son's work in a far city, and waits for her shroud to be made warm for winter.

### [The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/vi)

Reacts joyfully to the letter and the mention of the shroud, laughs and coughs with excitement.

### [Spring's Longing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/vii)

Grows more idle and forgetful, caring mainly for the youngest boy.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/ix)

Nodding asleep under the eaves during the agent's visit.

### [The Heat of Desire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/x)

Sits in the sun enjoying the heat, oblivious to the mother's turmoil.

### [The Unyielding Seed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/chapters/xi)

Recently deceased; the mother uses her death as a cover for her own guilt and sorrow.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/characters/the_old_mother
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mother_se/characters