The narrator expresses a complicated relationship with her mother, recognizing admiration for her while also feeling burdened by high expectations. The mother desires her daughter to fulfill the dreams and choices she made, which creates tension between them. The narrator feels the pressure to justify her mother's life through her own achievements, leading to conflicts in their perspectives.

This struggle for independence becomes a central theme, as the narrator resists becoming the embodiment of her mother's aspirations. She asserts her own identity, emphasizing that she is not responsible for her mother's existence or choices, highlighting the emotional strain and desire for autonomy in their relationship.