Mother imagery in the novels of Afro-Caribbean women
By: Simone A. James Alexander.
Publisher: University of Missouri Press
Published: 2001
Place of publication: Columbia
Language: eng
Number of pages: 215
Subjects: Marshall, Paule, 1929- -- Criticism and interpretation.; Kincaid, Jamaica -- Criticism and interpretation.; Condé, Maryse -- Criticism and interpretation.; Caribbean fiction (English) -- Women authors -- History and criticism.; Women and literature -- Caribbean Area -- History -- 20th century.; Women and literature -- United States -- History -- 20th century.; American fiction -- African American authors -- History and criticism.; American fiction -- Women authors -- History and criticism.; Women and literature -- English-speaking countries.; African American women -- Intellectual life.; African American women in literature.; Mothers and daughters in literature.; Motherhood in literature.; Mothers in literature.; Home in literature.
Description: "Focusing on specific texts by Jamaica Kincaid, Maryse Conde, and Paule Marshall, this study explores the intricate trichotomous relationship between the mother (biological or surrogate), the motherlands Africa and the Caribbean, and the mothercountry represented by England, France, and/or North America. The mother-daughter relationships in the works discussed address the complex, conflicting notions of motherhood that exist within this trichotomy.

Although mothering is usually socialized as a welcoming, nurturing notion, Alexander argues that alongside this nurturing notion there exists much conflict. Specifically, she argues that the mother-daughter relationship, plagued with ambivalence, is often further conflicted by colonialism or colonial intervention from the "other," the colonial mothercountry.".

"Mother Imagery in the Novels of Afro-Caribbean Women offers an overview of Caribbean women's writings from the 1990s, focusing on the personal relationships these three authors have had with their mothers and/or motherlands to highlight links, despite social, cultural, geographical, and political differences, among Afro-Caribbean women and their writings.

Alexander traces acts of resistance, which facilitate the (re)writing/righting of the literary canon and the conception of a "newly created genre" and a "womanist" tradition through fictional narratives with autobiographical components."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 197-209) and index.