Throughout the first 70 or so pages of this book, Ned Kelly shows that he has a tremendous pride in, and love for, his family, particularly his mother. He expresses his admiration and unconditional love of his mother on several occasions (9,26,44). Ned's admiration for his mom is also made evident through the fact that he refers to her as "Mother" (26,35), with a capital "M." I believe this shows how he views her because he never referred to his dad as "Father," it was always "my father" or "your grandfather." Ned also talks about how beautiful she is and says that she looked "splendid as a queen" (49). All these pieces of evidence add up to show on how high a pedestal Ned Kelly placed his mother. Willing to fight grown men for her honor and stay up all night to help her deliver her baby, there is no doubting that Ned Kelly loved his mother above all others throughout his young life.
The ride Ned takes with Harry Power after Annie's wedding is, in my opinion, the first step Ned takes towards becoming an outlaw, and I think Mrs. Kelly plays a vital role in pushing him down the road to becoming a thief. Imagine being fourteen years old and realizing that your mother, whom you idolize, hoodwinked you in order to get you away from her. Mrs. Kelly says she wants Ned to go speak with Mr. Power (66), when in reality she is sending him off, possibly for good. Her motives for sending him are questionable, but since she has decided to marry Bill Frost, it would appear that she might simply be trying to get Ned out of the way. At any rate, Ned is incredulous and disbelieving of Power's suggestion that his mother would be angry if he were to return home (72). Ned's ensuing denial about the assertion that his mother did not want him back is evidence of the devastation that would overtake him if he found Power's statements to be true. As the story continues, I believe that Ned will come to realize that his mother really does not want him back, and that that realization will result in him seeking remedy for his pain by plunging headlong into a life of crime.
I thoroughly agree with Tate’s evaluation of Ned’s love for his mother. She is clearly a symbol of safety as well as being the most consistent and prominent character in his life. He demonstrates this when he attempts to fight one of his mother’s suitors after he verbally mistreats her. He had the maturity to notice and appreciate all the things she did to keep their family afloat, while still preserving the mother-child bond. During the fight, Ned’s mother immediately joins her son on his side despite the fact that it may hurt her source of money. That is part of the reason that I disagree with Tate in regards to his mother intentionally removing Ned from the family with no intent to bring him back. Yes, that’s is what Bushranger Powers attempts to convince Ned of but Ned refuse to buy it. While there is evidence that supports Tate’s belief, I just find the entire situation a little lacking in precedent in regards to making a real decision.
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