In Five, Bannister mounts a pointed critique of a culture that holds mothers singularly responsible for their children’s behaviors and psychological struggles, interpreting nearly every parenting decision through the assumption that the mother is ultimately at fault. Through the parallel experiences of Emma and Luna, the narrative reveals how this relentless judgment—from strangers, professionals, and even family—shapes the way their actions are perceived, regardless of the circumstances they face. The novel argues that by casting mothers as the primary cause of their children’s struggles, society absolves itself of the responsibility to offer empathy or meaningful support, leaving women to shoulder impossible burdens while being blamed for the outcome.

The clearest form of this judgment comes from the anonymous public, exemplified by the commuters on the train platform. As Emma struggles with Gideon, Mrs. Worth observes her with scorn, internally dismissing her as a “useless” and “incompetent cow” (8). Within moments, she constructs an entire explanation for Gideon’s behavior, assuming he is merely “hyperactive or transgender or allergic to nuts like all of them these days” and that his behavior is a direct result of Emma’s supposed feminist negligence (8). This snap judgment, based on a few seconds of observation, reflects the novel’s larger critique of how readily mothers become the target of public blame. The narrator further reinforces this idea by directly addressing the reader: “Please do not judge this mother for having this thought” (4). By interrupting the narrative to anticipate the audience’s reaction, Bannister highlights how instinctive and pervasive the condemnation of mothers has become.

The novel further suggests that this pattern extends beyond casual observers into the institutions meant to support families. Rather than focusing on Gideon’s alarming behavior, the adults around Emma repeatedly scrutinize her decisions as a parent. A doctor questions her use of a night nanny with “naked judgment,” implying Emma’s work and need for rest are contributing to Gideon’s problems instead of recognizing the severity of his condition. Likewise, the succession of nannies who abandon the job reflects both Gideon’s escalating violence and the absence of meaningful resources available to Emma. Luna faces a similar dynamic, as her fierce advocacy for her son, Sonny, is met with institutional resistance. Teachers reduce Sonny’s neurodivergence to disciplinary labels such as “oppositional” and “noncompliant,” expecting Luna to correct behaviors that are far more complex than simple disobedience. In both storylines, institutions direct their attention toward evaluating the mother rather than understanding the child, reinforcing the expectation that maternal effort alone should overcome circumstances beyond any parent’s control.

Even familial relationships offer no refuge from this pattern of blame. Emma’s decision to have a child on her own is treated by her mother and sister, Anne, as a mistake for which she must eventually suffer the consequences. Her mother’s first reaction to the pregnancy is an accusatory demand to know the father’s identity, reviving the same criticism Emma experienced earlier in life. Later, when Emma seeks help after Gideon violently attacks her, Anne minimizes the seriousness of the situation, suggesting that Emma’s difficulties are a predictable consequence of her unconventional life. The people closest to Emma therefore reinforce the same assumptions expressed by strangers and professionals, leaving her with few places to turn for understanding.

Rather than asking readers to determine whether Emma or Luna are “good” mothers, Five repeatedly questions the standards by which motherhood is judged. Both women make flawed decisions, yet the novel consistently shows that other people magnify those flaws while minimizing or ignoring the extraordinary challenges they face. By tracing this pattern across public encounters, professional settings, and family relationships, the novel ultimately shifts attention to a society more eager to assign blame than to extend compassion.