Mother and Son Incest in Classic Literature

A recent reading of PENDENNIS by William Makepeace Thackeray reminded me how prevalent is the theme of mother and son incest in classic literature. While the societal taboo is implied in some of the works, even a cursory reading leaves one sensing the lust of the mother for her son. In Thackeray's classic 19th century novel, PENDENNIS, the theme of incest is strongly evident . Helen Pendennis, mother of the main character Arthur, seems to lust after her own son. In fact, what surprised me about the incest in PENDENNIS is its blatancy.

Helen Pendennis, a lonely but sexually alluring widow, is very much aware that the object of her lust is her own son. She broods over her son's affairs, even throwing one young lady into the street because of her interest in the son. "I have no doubt there is a sexual jealousy on the mother's part, and a secret pang," Thackeray writes in PENDENNIS.

Helen Pendennis is several times described as being in her son's bed. She is nursing him through an illness, "with her Bible in her lap." In the introduction to the book, John Sutherland insists that while the "holy book is significant" in this scene, "so is the part of the body it is covering." He also points out that "Helen posts herself by Arthur's bed, less a nurse than a virtuous dragon."

Centuries before the publication of PENDENNIS, Sophocles wrote the most bizarre work of incest. Oedipus the King not only slept with but married his mother, Jocasta. The two also produced several children. In spite of the unquestionable sexual intimacy between Oedipus and his mother, the Greek tragic hero and heroine are easier to forgive than Athur and Helen Pendennis. Unlike Thackeray's hero in PENDENNIS, Oedipus did not realize Jocasta was his mother until the deed had already been performed.