Tragic Firgure

Ignatius's mother is the tragic figure of this story. She is continually tested and burdened by Ignatius and his behavior. She tries her best but can not succeed in this world with her son acting as a "dead weight" (no pun intended). But on the flip side she can't live without him on account that she loves and adores him so much. for example when she constantly brags about him or when she helps him get out of trouble in the beginning of the tale. She is stuck in the old catch 22, "Can't live with him, can't live without him." In a healthy relationship one shall love another and then in turn recive love back. But in this case Ignatius's mother only gives love. She is depleted and tired by the time he reaches her loving limits. She can never succeed with him as her son or without him as her son.