The Penelopiad

by

Margaret Atwood

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Penelopiad makes teaching easy.

Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) Character Analysis

Penelope’s mother is a Naiad (a Water Nymph, or kind of minor goddess), wife of King Icarius of Sparta, and a Queen of Sparta. Characterized as neglectful and cold, Penelope’s mother shows little to no interest in Penelope’s life, preferring to spend time swimming in fresh water. She does, however, give Penelope the advice to “be like water” in order to get what she wants, leading to Penelope’s weaving scheme.

Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) Quotes in The Penelopiad

The The Penelopiad quotes below are all either spoken by Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) or refer to Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Storytelling, Textual Authority, and Falsehoods Theme Icon
).
Chapter 7 Quotes

Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.

Related Characters: Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) (speaker), Penelope
Related Symbols: Water
Page Number: 43
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire The Penelopiad LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Penelopiad PDF

Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) Quotes in The Penelopiad

The The Penelopiad quotes below are all either spoken by Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) or refer to Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Storytelling, Textual Authority, and Falsehoods Theme Icon
).
Chapter 7 Quotes

Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.

Related Characters: Penelope’s Mother (The Naiad) (speaker), Penelope
Related Symbols: Water
Page Number: 43
Explanation and Analysis: