In the movie "Cinderella Man", Mae Braddock, the wife of the boxer James J. Braddock, is forced to send their children away to live with relatives during the Great Depression. There are several factors that motivate Mae to make this difficult decision:
1. Financial hardship: Mae and James are struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression, and they cannot afford to feed and clothe their children properly. Sending the children away is a way to ensure they have a better chance of survival.
2. Fear for their safety: Mae worries that if they continue to live in poverty, their children may become sick or injured and not receive the medical care they need. Sending the children away is a way to protect them from harm.
3. Shame and embarrassment: Mae is ashamed of their poverty and does not want the children to suffer because of it. Sending the children away is a way to shield them from the shame and embarrassment of their situation.
4. Hope for the future: Mae believes that by sending the children away, they will have a better chance of surviving the Great Depression and building a better future for themselves.
Overall, Mae's decision to send the children away is motivated by a combination of financial hardship, fear for their safety, shame and embarrassment, and hope for the future. It is a difficult decision, but one that she believes is in the best interest of the children.