Justina (Cat's Mom)

[Marcy]

Since the Cat thread was turning into a Justina thread, I thought I'd start a fresh one for the discussion of Justina, Cat's mother.

Why do you think she behaves the way she does? Is she protecting Cat? Protecting herself? Protecting the world from Cat? Is it out of bitterness and a need for revenge? Or is she still just hurt and confused?

carry on.

[Katiebabs]

Justina irks the crap out of me. Poor Cat.
Her mother needs therapy.

[brilliantdisguise]

Why do you think she behaves the way she does? Is she protecting Cat? Protecting herself? Protecting the world from Cat? Is it out of bitterness and a need for revenge? Or is she still just hurt and confused?

All of the above. Plus Cat's. . .passivity in dealing with her mother (which, yes, started by Justina when Cat was young and couldn't defend/stand up for herself, but Justina shuts up when Cat takes charge at the end).

Ironic, isn't it, that it's the side of Cat Justina can't stand that ends up saving their lives.

[DelilahK]

Here are my thoughts on Justina...

I think she's got control issues. Unable to control her own lust for a handsome man - after reading Max's version it rang true to me - then discovering he wasn't quite human she admits to having no selfcontrol. So, she's spent 20+ years hammering into her daughters head that she's horrible, vampires are demons, and she has to destroy them all. Cat doesn't start to stand up to Mom until Bones. Her hatred of Bones has more to do with him breaking her control of Cat than his vampirism... oh she hates that too... but losing control over Cat's activities is what gets her - to use a Bones term - knickers in a knot.

[jaxon]

I think I agree with Delilah. That just makes a lot of sense to me.

[DelilahK]

Thanks Jaxon!

[China Doll]

Since the Cat thread was turning into a Justina thread, I thought I'd start a fresh one for the discussion of Justina, Cat's mother.

Why do you think she behaves the way she does? Is she protecting Cat? Protecting herself? Protecting the world from Cat? Is it out of bitterness and a need for revenge? Or is she still just hurt and confused?

carry on.

Good questions Marcy.

1. Why do you think she behaves the way she does?

I believe Justina behaves the way she does (outside of how Max made her believe all vampires were demons) because she was a young mother without real support (yes her parents gave she and Cat shelter), but I don't think they (Justina or Cat ) recieved emotional support from the grandparents. I think they were always an embarrassment to the small town couple in the small minded town. Yes, I know some young Moms do very well and become excellent Moms, but Justina's situation is different. After becoming a Mom, she seems to become more isolated so that has to factor into Justina's interaction with Cat. Justina may not agree to that statement, but subconsciously she has to know her life changed for the worst when Cat was born. Does this mean she does not love Cat? No, she does love Cat, I would say with her whole heart. She could have put Cat up for adoption. I don't believe abortion would have been an option for her due to her background.

2. Is she protecting Cat? Protecting herself? Protecting the world from Cat?

Justina is protecting Cat when she sends her out to kill vampires, but it is in Justina's own weird way of thinking. Justina must believe if Cat is killing the vampires, she won't become one. In addition, Justina is protecting herself because the vampire experience (Max experience) froze her life in time. She can not move from the event. Maybe too Justina is protecting the world from Cat. I don't believe she wants the world to know what Cat is. Even though Cat is an adult, Justina doesn't want Cat taken away from her. When Cat goes away to college in Halfway to the Grave, Justina still wants Cat to think about staying home where she can see her everyday and protect her from the world. Also, when Bones reinters Cat's life in One Foot in the Grave, Justina reacts in the same way. To Justina, Bones is the exposure to the vampire world Justina doesn't want for her daughter no matter how much Bones loves Cat in Justina's mind anyway.

3. Is it out of bitterness and a need for revenge? Or is she still just hurt and confused?

Don't send in the rocket launcher - ducking, but I believe Justina is hurt and confused. Again, getting pregnant young in a small time with small town acceptance (which is not acceptance at all) is bad enough, but add to it a sexual experience Justina can't really talk about to anyone and a daughter who looks just like the man that can not be talked about at all. I would say Justina is very hurt and confused.

[muneca8599]

Did wont see this thread?? LOL
China, good thoughts.
I do think it is a bit of both. Justina certainly was a victim of her own circumstances and small town prejudices that helped to formulate her own. But, she continued to perpetuate them. Even when her own daughter brought them up to her face and shed some light on them. And knowing her daughter was happy, in love, no matter who she was with, should have sold Justina. I do not like that she continued to give Cat and Bones grief especially since Bones has saved her life!

Sending Cat out to the world? Tricky. This is subjecting her to danger and being killed each and every time. Just b/c someone "thinks" that what they are doing is right doesn't mean that it is, or that it justifies it. Nor does it make it acceptable for a mother-parents are supposed to lead by example and know better, to foster good morals and actions and to protect. I don't think she helped to protect Cat by furthering her killing. At all.

[steelersnm1]

I think she lashes out because she feels bad (responsible) that Cat is the way she is (half-breed). It's her way of dealing with her pain for first making the mistake to be with Max and then for not being able to protect Cat from the world of the vampires, ghouls and ghosts.

[elizabethcerna]

Sometimes I think Justina and Ian are going to end up together or maybe it's just me but I think Ian likes her but he's to afraid to admit it.