8. The family's immediate reaction to the mother's death is relief and a sense of freedom from her intrusion in their lives.
9. Lines 17 through 27 reveal that the author's mother was a dominant figure in the family who provided strength, laughter, and support for her children and siblings. She treated all the children equally and did what she felt she had to do to build a foundation for future generations.
10. The statement reveals that the mother believed speech was used to hide one's true thoughts. This suggests that she may have had a tendency to hide her own thoughts and feelings.
11. One example of the mother's power in the family is shown when the author says, "Living with them was like living inside a story." This implies that the mother's presence and actions made a significant impact on the family dynamics and daily life.
12. The author most likely wrote this passage to reflect on the complex and conflicting feelings they had towards their mother and to explore the impact she had on their lives.
13. In this sentence, the word "chiding" means scolding or reprimanding.
14. The first change in the family's feelings on the death of the mother is shown in lines 35-41, where some of them start to question whether her overwhelming presence was a greater loss than a relief. This indicates a shift in their perspective and a reconsideration of their ambivalent feelings towards her.