Volume : 3, Issue : 4, APR 2017

ELEMENTS OF MOTHERHOOD AND MARTYRDOM IN ALICE WALKER'S MERIDIAN

Nidhi Singh

Abstract

In many different cultures, motherhood is seen as having a feminine connotation. To be a mother, however, is not something that every woman is psychologically or physically equipped to do. Motherhood is portrayed in the novel Meridian by Alice Walker as a role that is repressive and unpleasant, and it has the potential to restrict a woman's individuality. When confronted with traditional parental expectations, the protagonist chooses to disregard them and instead dedicates herself to experiencing a personal "martyrdom" for the sake of society reform. Meridian renounces her role as a mom in order to pursue a life that is more engaged and focused on the community. She redefines herself as an activist who channels her humiliation and adversity into political activism. Meridian, a victim of racism in white society, is subjected to repression by the whole patriarchal community throughout her life. She is beginning to see that she is more than simply a Black woman, a daughter, a wife, and a mother, despite the fact that she is experiencing this. It was at a young age that Meridian had her first taste of motherhood, and she considers it to be a kind of slavery. She gives up motherhood because she is dissatisfied with it, which causes her to feel guilty. As a result, she gives up her child and embarks on a journey to discover who she is outside of parenthood. Meridian is a maternal caretaker who is relied upon by the Black community, and she also becomes active in the Civil Rights Movement.

Keywords

Motherhood, Expectations, Repressive, Dissatisfied and Unpleasant.

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Article No : 15

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References

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