Warrior Fans discussion

So, I saw a few posts about her on other threads, and was like "Hey! Great discussion material!" So here's a long-winded analysis of Rainflower. Enjoy. =P

Rainflower was shown to preoccupied with appearances and strength throughout the entire novel. She favored Stormkit and Oakkit because they were both strong healthy kits with great Warrior potential, but when Stormkit's potential was perceived to drop after his injured jaw. His appearance was ruined, therefore she felt there was no reason to care for him anymore.
Her love was always conditional, she loved for her benefit only. (Is that even love?)

She continued to care for Oakheart because he had the appearance of a strong Warrior and would serve her own image well, but I'd guess if a similar accident with him had occurred; she would have rejected him as well.

Her choice in mate, Shellheart, might also hint towards her obsession with appearances. She might have picked the Clan deputy because he held the second highest rank in the Clan. He would definitely be one of the strongest cats. If she get him as a mate, certainly that would make her look better.

The way she renamed Crookedkit was another manifestation of her shallowness. She wanted to show the Clan in a tangible way that she no longer cared for her kit, after he no longer had the appearance she wished to associate herself with. Or perhaps she just couldn't bear to see her handsome kit's name attached to a cat she couldn't bear to look at. For whatever specific reason she did it, it was obviously very cruel and selfish thing to do.

I have to say, I did enjoy reading about her. Not because I liked her, but because her character was one not explored before in the series. There hasn't been a cat in the series before with her degree of shallowness, and she could certainly rank as one of the most selfish cats. Not to mention that up to this point there haven't been many bad mothers. It added a touch of realism to the series, since there are (sadly) mothers like Rainflower in real life.

My conclusion on Rainflower is that she is shallow character who puts herself before anyone else. She was a very cruel and realistic character. I really disliked her, which I believe was the intended effect.

So what do you think of her?

Hate this cat's guts. I only read the sample, but I hate her. There's my two cents.

If you've read the book, you'd know more.

(view spoiler)[ Crookedjaw never thought that Rainflower loved him. He would still, however, try to win back her love and affection and showed love to his mother. The same affection that was given to Oakheart and should have also been given to him.
So during a dog attack, when Rainflower had fallen into the river, Crookedjaw tried to go help. Mapleshade said this was putting himself before his Clan, which was not part of his promise. So he decided to leave her to preserve his destiny. This resulted in her death. He was sad about her death, but didn't think much of it because of the way she had treated him (hide spoiler)]

It's horrible. Really horrible. Rainflower was the most self-centered cat in the series.

Did you read the spoiler? I'm not encouraging you to, I'm just acking.

Yeah, I think Rainflower was a necessary evil in Crookedstar's life. He became more driven in order to impress her, but it also had the effect of making him a very determined cat, which he might not have become if Rainflower had been a good mother. Not an excuse for what she did, but she certainly played a vital part in his life.

Rainflower taught him the importance of parenthood.
(view spoiler)[He hadn't visited his living kit in a moon since his kits and mate had died. Then when Oakheart made him mad, they started fighting. Silverkit panicked. That was when he realised what exactly why he neeeded to father his only kit. (hide spoiler)]

She is a MEANER!!! I can't belive how she treated Crookedkit. (view spoiler)[ What kind of mother rejects her kit who has been scarred for life, insists that he have a cruel name, and makes sure he feels infeiorior? She is my new least favorite cat. (hide spoiler)]

*inferior.

I really hate Rainflower she was supposed to be there when Crookedkit needed her most but she wasn't........... but Shellheart was