Final answer:
The passages discuss themes of loneliness, the caregiving role of mothers, and the emotional challenges faced when those roles come to an end. They underscore the expectations of women in society, transitions in life, and the subjective nature of perception relating to women's experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of the inquiry encompasses the exploration of loneliness, family dynamics, and the roles mothers play within various familial contexts across literary works. The provided extracts reflect the multifaceted nature of motherhood and the deep emotional impact of caregiving responsibilities, particularly in the absence of reciprocal familial support. Each extract portrays unique scenarios that challenge the traditional expectations of a woman's role, highlighting the desolation that can accompany the caregiving journey, as in the case of an elderly parent who experiences abandonment in old age.
The mention of Irene, a 47-year-old woman without children or marital ties, introduces the notion of caregiving from a different angle, one that potentially involves caring for an aging mother in a nursing home. This touches upon the societal expectations and the individual experiences of finding one's purpose through family or work, as delineated by Mrs. Linde's character, who seeks to fill the void left by her caregiving role with professional employment. The contrast between those who are relieved from their duties and those who feel a profound sense of emptiness encapsulates the complex emotions involved in caregiving and the transition from being needed to facing the quietude of its cessation.
The references to literature and visual representation, such as the mention of the optical illusion 'My wife and my mother-in-law,' underscores the subjective nature of perception and its analogy to understanding the roles and experiences of women in different stages of life, be it as caregivers or receivers of care.