Both Daisy and Diana lacked a true mother figure in their lives. Daisy's mother, Mercy, died when she gave birth to Daisy. Daisy was an unexpected child and right after giving birth to her, Mercy died on the kitchen floor. "Silent and still as a boat, a stranger in the world for all her life, who has given her child the last of her breath." (Shields, 40) After her mother's death, Daisy was put in the care of a neighbor, Clarentine Flett. However, Clarentine, too died when Daisy was a young child. Clarentine "entered a state of unconsciousness the moment the dreadful accident occurred . . . "(Shields, 55) Clarentine loved Daisy "as if she were her own child." (Shields, 55) C

larentine acted as a replacement for Mercy until Daisy was 11 years old, however, this was still a young age for Daisy to not have a mother. Daisy did not have a chance to learn how to be a woman and to learn the ways of motherhood from example. Daisy had to teach herself the ways of a woman as her father was the only person she had to use as an example.

When Daisy became old, sick and lonely, the only one of her children that kept in touch with her was Alice. Alice went to visit her mother and to stay with her when she was ill. The other children, Warren and Joan were busy with their own families. Daisy was not, however, offended by their absence as she knew that she did a good job raising them and that they loved their mother very much. They wrote and sent postcards, but Daisy let them go off into the world, confident that she had taught them well and they could survive in the real world. Daisy took on the responsibility of a mother with open arms and did a good job in showing her children the ways of life and how to act around people. She taught them discipline and morals and how to lead a good, healthy life.

Although Diana and Daisy both had a lack of a mother figure in their childhood, they both grew up to be very successful mothers. They both tried to give their children everything that they possibly could, even if it meant sacrificing themselves. Daisy fit perfectly into the role of a mother and Diana certainly tried to juggle the role of mother and princess. Both tried their best and without much help from their husband, gave their children everything they wanted. The children new it and loved their mothers just equally. Neither Daisy not Diana can be criticized for the way that they raised their children, as they did everything they could to ensure that their children had happy and productive childhoods.

Neither Diana nor Daisy received much help from their husbands in raising the children. Both had to do it on their own and try to give their children the best that they possibly could, considering the circumstances. Diana had many other things to do as well as raising the children. This made it very difficult for her. Daisy did not really have too many other things to do and had time to raise the children.

When they were young, Daisy taught her children hard work and discipline. She taught them to be responsible, to keep their clothes clean, to care about their appearance and to help out when help was needed. " The two girls, Alice, nine, and Joan, five, have been encouraged to pick a small bouquet for the table . . . " (Shields, 157) The kids made their own beds and "Alice has helped her mother by dusting the front and back stairs." (Shields, 158) The children were taught good manners and morals by their mother.

Daisy, from the Stone Diaries, took on the stereotypical role of wife and mother in the 1950s. She stayed home with her children while her husband went to work and raised them by herself. Daisy truly lacked experience in raising children. She did not have any contact with children as she was growing up and when she had children of her own, it was her first time in a motherhood role. She did, however, care for them well and tried to teach them things in life. She took time to speak to each of her children, Alice, Warren and

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Approximate Word count = 2223
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)