Hart is a published author and freelance writer. In this essay, she explores differences between the protagonist’s ideal son and daughter and the relationship she has with her real son and daughter.

In the novel Picture Bride, Uchida’s protagonist, Hana, struggles throughout the second half of this story in her relationship with her daughter, Mary. Mary is Hana’s only child, for Hana miscarried a son previous to Mary’s birth. The loss of Hana’s son causes great emotional strain on Hana. She takes his death as a sign that she has done something wrong. As time passes, Hana learns to heal herself. One way she does this is to take in the seminary student Kenji Nishima. In helping Kenji to regain his health, Hana feels forgiven for any wrongs she may have done. This sense of forgiveness does...