Tereza's mother consistently emphasized the profound sacrifices that come with motherhood, a notion rooted in her own painful experiences. Her life reflected the heavy toll of unconditional love and loss, shaping Tereza's perception of maternal duty as the utmost virtue. Tereza absorbed this belief deeply, seeing motherhood as the pinnacle of existence, laden with significant personal sacrifice.

This dynamic established a powerful contrast between mothers and their daughters, where the mother embodies selflessness and the daughter becomes a figure of guilt. In this relationship, Tereza felt an enduring burden of guilt, suggesting that while a mother's sacrifices are celebrated, a daughter's path is shadowed by the weight of these expectations, leaving little room for redemption.