When Adams writes of her, it is as a symbol of the restrained Victorianism of the time, such as in describing her steadfast over-dressed state in the heat of a trip to Yosemite.
The major episode concerning his mother, from a developmental point of view was when, as a prepubescent youngster, Ansel experienced an erection in the bathtub. Enjoying the sensation, he asked his mother "what is that?" His mother never responded verbally; she just kept shaking her head.
Later, he resorted to asking neighbors what masturbation meant. He never got an explanation, "only queer looks and obvious evasions."7 Apparently, due to the location of the family's house, with no neighbors nearby, there was a lack of playmates for Ansel. He adapted to being alone and wandering off and keeping himself occupied and amused. Sexuality seemed not to have been an issue for him. Of course he was curious, but he does not go into it any further in his writings. The family attitude, in keeping with the times, was that this was a subject that nice people did not talk about or really deal with.
Despite this relatively repressive atmosphere, it certainly seems that Adams had successfully resolved the œdipal crisis. Perhaps the incident with an erection is the telling factor. He at that point wanted to possess his mother and connected his genital sensations with his love for her and became jealous of his father. The satisfactory resolution of this stage came when Ansel abandoned these irrational wishes and closely identified with his father.
