Parenting in Haydn Middletons The Lie of The Land :: Haydn Middleton The Lie of The Land

Parenting in Haydn Middleton's The Lie of The Land There are many different ways to read The Lie of The Land, by Haydn Middleton. The subjects that can be approached in LOL are many, as is the different ways in which these subjects can be approached. We will look at this novel from a parental standpoint and look into the book and see the different aspects of parenting that Middleton incorporated into this novel. There are two main parental figures in this novel, David Nennius's wife, Melissa, and his mother, Mary. There were many themes that kept showing up with these two mothers. Middleton created two mother figures that landed in the same position, being a single parent, though through very different circumstances. Both mothers also had to move from a situation to protect their children. Neither of the boys knew their father, and both fathers were of questionable morals, one father being a rapist while the other father was a murderer. The themes mentioned above all flow together into one after reading The Lie of The Land. It is difficult to separate them because of how well Middleton sewed this story together, even though it is a story within a story. Therefore, the first two points of the women being single mothers and then moving to protect their children must go together. It is fascinating that Middleton chose to make both of these women single mothers. He created conflicts that forced both women to move their children to a safe place. Mary of course was almost forced into being a single parent because she chose to submit to the intruder rather than fight him, but it was her choice to submit. Mary could have fought him, but then there would have been no Nennius and therefore no story. Mary knew she had to move to protect her child as well as herself Being put into the time period of 20730 years ago, a child out of wedlock would have ostracized her and her son, so she did move out of necessity. Melissa made her choice to be a single mother by not seeing Nennius's side of what happened in the restroom (p. 192-194). As a person, let alone a parent, I feel most people could understand and even appreciate the reaction that Nennius had. I was applauding his reaction. Melissa was not so pleased, so chose to make herself a single parent for some time.