Who is Mother from When the Emperor Was Divine: A Novel?

Mother is a warm and loving woman, who puts her children's safety and care before all else. She is organized, visibly poised, and possesses the forethought to prepare for what she sees coming. Mother's optimism is contagious and extends to her children, as she stands fast in her encouragement and makes necessary sacrifices to insure their comfort. Over the course of the novel, she loses much of her initial optimism and is described as lethargic.