In her short narrative, “The Revolt of ‘Mother,’” author Mary Wilkins Freeman tells the story of Sarah Penn, a woman who initiates an act of rebellion against her husband, Adroniram, by moving her family from their cramped living quarters into his newly-constructed barn, located on the land where he’d promised to build her a new home. Sarah’s defiance in the face of her husband’s authority and the ultimate success of her actions indicate that rising up against the patriarchal order brings about increased freedom, respect, and authority for women. These obvious feminist undertones and the overall success of Sarah’s revolt, however, are somewhat problematized through Freeman’s depictions of the Penn’s son, Sammy, who undercuts his mother’s quest for independence and influence in its most pivotal moment. Frequently described in comparison to his father—a patriarchal figure who dictates household order—Sammy supplants his mother’s control over the situation with his own, thus diminishing the overall effectiveness of Sarah’s victory and the text’s feminist message.

Sammy’s superseding of his mother’s control and independence is most clearly illustrated in the penultimate scene of the text when Adroniram returns from Vermont to find the family has shifted headquarters from their small, dilapidated home to the immaculate new barn. As Adroniram approaches, readers are told, “Nanny kept behind her mother, but Sammy stepped suddenly forward, and stood in front of her…‘We’ve come to live here, father,’ said Sammy. His shill voice quavered out bravely” (13). In this climactic moment, Sammy asserts his control by placing himself directly between his mother and father, pushing her to the background of the situation both physically and metaphorically. He acts as a protective patriarchal force who assumes responsibility for the move and, in doing so, diminishes Mother’s role and independence.

Further, it is arguably Sammy’s acceptance of his mother’s decision that ultimately results in Adroniram’s approval. The narrator notes, “Sammy went past the window, leading the new horse to the old barn. The old man saw him, and shook his head speechlessly” (13). Mother’s actions upset and confuse Father and it is not until Adroniram realizes that his male son supports his mother’s decision that he acquiesces and consents to the new household order. Ultimately, despite the move being his mother’s idea, Sammy’s last minute control and influence over the situation play a key role in his Father’s acceptance. As such, the credit for Mother’s success must be shared between both Sarah and Sammy, reducing the overall effectiveness of the text’s feminist message.

Most notably, while Sarah Penn doesn’t ask for Sammy to face Adroniram for her, she doesn’t object to Sammy’s control over the situation. There is no indication of an attempt to reassert her dominance. Rather, the narrator comments on the son’s “bravery” as Sarah moves to comfort and take care of her husband while she better explains that she “ain’t crazy.” Significantly, she informs Adroniram that, despite this “revolt” and her intention to stay in the barn, she will continue to do “her duty by [him]” (13), her statement implying that the household’s patriarchal order will continue (albeit in a new location). No hints of any further rebellion to procure independence, respect, and/or authority are indicated. 

Freeman’s positioning of Sammy Penn within the text as a man who ultimately assumes responsibility of his mother’s rebellion problematizes the feminist message of “The Revolt of ‘Mother.’” His role illustrates that, although Sarah acts as the catalyst for change, the man of the house remains the controlling force.





Works Cited

Freeman, Mary Wilkins "The Revolt of ‘Mother.’" Funda, Evelyn, ed.  Literature and Culture of the American Farm.  

       Logan, UT: USU Academic Publishing, 2013, 1-14.