Themes: A Mother's Love for Her Child
As part of the Flying Avalons, Anna tries to save herself and her unborn child even after she realizes that her husband will die as a result of his fall. She is faced with the split-second opportunity to either plummet with him or save herself: she chooses herself and her seventh-month-old unborn fetus. Later, she puts herself in grave danger to save her daughter from the fire that rages within their home and blocks all passage to the girl. Anna ignores the fact that people are watching, strips off her dress (so that it will not hinder her movements or catch fire), shimmies out onto a too-small branch that snaps when she leaps from it, and saves her daughter. Anna appears to give no thought to her own personal safety and cares only for her daughter's. These sacrifices treat both Anna’s children as an extension of Anna herself.
Expert Q&A
What could be a stronger thesis statement for an analysis essay about "The Leap," focusing on the daughter's lifelong love and respect for her mother?
You need to focus on a theme, and how the relationship between the two women relates to that theme (or vice versa). A good thesis is arguable, insightful, and important and specific.
Analysis of the mother's character and past in Louise Erdrich's "The Leap"
In "The Leap," the mother is portrayed as a resilient and brave woman with a past as a trapeze artist. Her experiences, including surviving a tragic circus accident, shape her into a figure of strength and adaptability. Her past demonstrates her ability to confront danger and make life-altering decisions, which deeply influence her daughter's perception of her.
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