Legacy after Jim’s death
After Jim’s death Mag was left only with “few expressive wishes for her welfare; a hope of better days for her; an anxiety lest they should not all go to the "good place;" brief advice about their children; a hope expressed that Mag would not be neglected as she used to be; the manifestation of Christian patience”. Miserable Mag was covered by the cold feeling of devastation after being left alone again. Life became neither easier nor less difficult for her.
Agony of life
Another bitterness of Mag’s life was concealed in her heart, and this bitterness was motherhood. It is obvious that Mag was not a bad person, neither was she heartless to her children, but it is difficult to imagine what a woman might pass through calling her children “black devils”. This is how she called them when Seth offered to leave the children to some family nearby: “Who'll take the black devils?” snarled Mag. Such agony is beyond comprehension.
Comic or ironic?
Mrs. Bellmont once made Frado eat from her own plate in order not to make dirty a new one. Frado did not think long, took the plate and gave it to Fido, so it washed it by licking, after which Frado put food on it and ate it with great appetite. The scene made the entire family laugh, except for Mrs. Bellmont, who was beyond the limit of rage.
