Sylvia Townsend Warner, alongside Katherine Mansfield and Chekhov, of course, writes what I define as perfect short stories. Her stories are little jewels that encapsulate single occurrences, but that reflect images of entire lives lived, and contain other stories within. ‘The Children’s Grandmother’ is a bit different, though. An unnamed narrator thinks back on her role as a mother, wife and, more importantly, daughter-in-law. Her story unpacks the dynamics between herself and “the children’s grandmother”, as she mostly refers to her mother-in-law. It quickly becomes clear that the presence of the narrator’s children shapes their relationship, mostly underscoring differences in values and expectations. The grandmother is a formidable, somewhat domineering presence in the household. She exerts her influence with a mix of criticism and care, yet her love for the children is undeniable. She involves herself in their upbringing, and the narrator, shows herself to be a quiet and submissive woman, whose presence in the household counts but for little. As the story progresses, the narrator reflects on how the grandmother’s personality weighs on her mind as the children grow up. Yet as the grandmother ages and finally dies, the narrator gains a clearer understanding of the woman who felt her entire life the pain of being a mother.
First published in The New Yorker, 17 November 1950. Available in Winter in the Air, Faber, 2022. Can be listened to here, with an introduction by Colm Tóibín
A Personal Anthology 