In the philosophical novel Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder, Sophie learns the history of philosophy, concluding with the truth about her own existence. In all this, many motifs prevail: the mirror, the boat, dreams, constant lighting. But the most important reason is that of Sophie's relationship with her mother. As this motif develops and Sophie and her mother grow closer as a result of the philosophy, only to be separated again, this ultimately helps highlight the theme of this novel: living in the moment, because nothing is permanent. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the book, Sophie has a rather distant, albeit polite, relationship with her mother. When Sophie is introduced, it is explained that although her mother sometimes called their home “a menagerie,” Sophie was “quite happy [with her menagerie]. It all started with the three goldfish, Goldtop, Little Red Riding Hood and Black Jack. He later got two budgies called Smitt and Smule, then Govinda the tortoise and finally the marmalade cat Sherekan. They were all given to her to compensate for the fact that her mother never came home from work except in the late afternoon and her father was so far away, sailing around the world” (2). Gaarder's abundant use of commas in these compound sentences emphasizes how many animals Sophie owns, which in turn emphasizes the fact that they were compensation for not seeing her parents, especially her mother, much. Furthermore, the fact that Sophie was “quite happy” with her pets suggests that she has not only gotten used to it, but is also enjoying it without her parents. After Sophie reads her first philosophy packet, she corners her mother when she gets home from work and asks her some of the questions presented in the packet. After her mother puts the potatoes on the fire, as Sophie had said, she asks, "'You didn't get involved in drugs, did you, dear?' Sophie was about to laugh, but she understood why the question was being raised at that moment. “Are you crazy?” she said. “That just makes you dumber!” (20). of drugs, because she is away most of the time. Furthermore, this first dose of philosophy causes much consternation on her mother's part, suggesting that, although their relationship is distant, her mother cares about her of Sophie that the white envelopes are love letters is proof that the philosophy she is learning carries with it more than her concern for her. Her mother finds a letter from the philosopher in the mailbox and, since there is no stamp , concludes that it's a love letter. “Won't you open it?” he asks in response to this, “Let her mother think it was a love letter.” worse if her mother discovered that she is taking a correspondence course with a complete stranger, a philosopher who played hide and seek with her” (28). Sophie goes so far as to pretend to have a lover to protect her philosophy from her mother, pointing out that she wishes her mother didn't know philosophy. This goes so far that “His mother was clearly worried. He had started speaking to Sophie in a different tone after the matter with the white rabbit and the top hat. (50) Philosophy, even though her mother doesn't know it's philosophy, makes her worry, speaking in a "different" tone than before, suggesting that she wasn't as worried or worried about Sophie before she started learning philosophy. When Sophie goes upstairs just to look at the mailbox, she asks, "'He's the one who told you about the rabbit andof the top hat?' his mother asked. Sophie nodded. 'He—he doesn't do drugs, does he?'” (50). The hyphen after the first “he” betrays concern for his mother and that she is afraid of moving forward. Even though Sophie herself doesn't use drugs, her mother is worried that she might be dating someone who does, when in reality Sophie doesn't have a lover at all and is instead learning philosophy. After Sophie's visit to the lake, her mother's questions and Sophie's answers continue to show how philosophy is bringing them closer. After Sophie's mother brings her some dry clothes, she begins to question her. "'Were you with him?' he asked after a while. 'Him?' «With him, yes. Him…. Your rabbit!' Sophie shook her head…. «Now I want the truth. Have you been out all night? Why did you go to bed dressed? Did you sneak out as soon as I went to bed? You're only fourteen, Sophie. I demand to know who you are seeing!” (98-99). Sophie then explains how she doesn't have a boyfriend after all. The sudden rush of questions, one after another, suggests anger, rage and dismay at what Sophie might do. Sophie did all this as a result of what she read in his philosophy, and her mother is worried about what she has done: her philosopher is causing her mother to be more worried about Sophie, thus bringing her closer. Likewise is Sophie's confession, which suggests that she trusts her mother. More or less the same thing happens when Sophie starts crying when on the news a major from the Norwegian UN battalion was killed by a bomb. Her mother asks, "'What's happening, Sophie?' 'Nothing.' "Yes, there is. You have a boyfriend and I'm starting to think he's much older than you. Answer me now: do you know a man in Lebanon?'" (217). of her mother for Sophie. Sophie's reaction, of course, is due to the postcards she receives along with the philosophy. After answering a barrage of questions, Sophie runs upstairs and “pretended to be asleep even though she knew her mother wasn't she would have believed it. She knew that her mother knew that Sophie also knew that her mother would not have believed it. Yet her mother pretended to believe that Sophie was sleeping” (217). of peace between them, even if it is only temporary. He suddenly decides to tell the whole truth to his mother, who also confides in her about his relationship with his father, strengthening the trust they have in each other as Sophie reaches its peak, her relationship with her mother also increases. After Sophie learns about Berkeley and realizes that it is just part of a book, she runs home during a thunderstorm, meeting her mother in the middle of a playground. As he ran, “the sky was repeatedly pierced by angry bolts of lightning” (286). When they reach each other, Sophie's mother hugs her. “What's happening to us, baby?” his mother asks. “I don't know,” Sophie replies, “It's like a bad dream” (286). The lightning not only dramatizes the scene, but also highlights how Sophie and her mother are at the peak of their relationship. Her mother's question, "What's happening to us?", could refer to what was happening physically - the storm - or to their relationship. Sophie's mother's reference to Sophie as the “little one” also highlights how Sophie is still her daughter, still her “little one.” In this moment, the two are united in fear and disbelief, the pinnacle of intimacy in their relationship. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Despite all this, at the end of the book, Sophie is torn from her mother as she abandons the world of books and also the major's conscience. Here, then, the way.