White Oleander Blog

Below, you will see posts for each of the mother-figures we meet in the film as well as Astrid herself.  You write a blog post for Astrid and two of the mother-figures (three total).  For each post, share your thoughts on the character and what you think they demonstrate about femininity, identity, and/or motherhood.

Marlena "Rena" (the tag sale lady)...

 "You think they don't got problem?  Everybody got problem. You got me, they got insurance, house payment, Preparation H." She smiled, baring the part between her two upper teeth. "We are the free birds. They want to be us.” 
"You stupid girl.  You walk away from money to punish mother?"

Claire...

"What can you possibly learn from her?  How to pine artistically?  Twenty-seven names for tears?"
"Take my advice, stay away from broken people."

Starr...

“The damned could be saved...anytime. But they refused to give up their sins. Though they suffered endlessly, they would not give them up, even for salvation, perfect divine love."

“The way Starr felt in church, that's how I felt at the art museum, both safe and elevated.” 

Ingrid (Astrid's Mother)...

"Loneliness is the the human condition.  No one will ever fill that space.  The most you can do is try to know yourself."

"Love is temperamental. Tiring. It makes demands. Love uses you. Changes its mind..... But hatred, now. That's something you can use. Sculpt. Wield. It's hard or soft, however you need it. Love humiliates you, but hatred cradles you."

Astrid...

"Those people are not the enemy, mother.  We are!  You and me!  They don't hurt us; we hurt them!"