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Frieda and Claudia’s mother, Mrs. MacTeer, contributes to the novel’s complicated exploration of different kinds of love. Mrs. MacTeer is a strict mother who is not demonstrative with her affection. Claudia and Frieda know that misbehavior will be punished with spankings. However, it’s also clear that Mrs. MacTeer’s strictness rises from the environment in which she must raise her daughters. As a poor, Black family, the MacTeers must contend both with poverty and a racist society that does not give second chances to Black children who make mistakes. This difficult situation creates a contrast between the way Mrs. MacTeer behaves and the love behind her actions. For example, she complains about the cost of giving Pecola milk, but never refuses the impoverished girl. When Claudia remembers being sick as a child, she remembers Mrs. MacTeer having rough hands and complaining the entire time. Despite the harshness, Claudia associates this scene most strongly with knowing she’s loved. The rough hands and frustration that come from the poverty and fear cannot negate that her mother truly does care for Claudia. Perhaps most importantly, Mrs. MacTeer immediately believes Frieda about Mr. Henry’s molestation attempt and defends her. She is a woman doing her best for her daughters in a difficult environment.
