The Role Of Motherhood In Morrison's In Beloved And Sula Mothers

Mothers in Morrison’s narratives are depicted as having their own sexuality, but at times, the sexual encounters in the novels are expressions of the characters’ need to feel close to someone in their search for security, rather than sexual desire. Sethe attempts this intimacy with Paul D and she tries to enjoy her body that was abused before by men when she was a slave. Sethe also tries to escape, as mentioned previously, by trying to connect to a man but it is difficult since she has been betrayed by her lover before. Eva’s sexual life is more limited but her flirtations and charisma keep men fascinated. However, another explanation might be applicable to Eva’s sexual behaviour. She does not care about establishing emotional bonds with

Morrison's authorship elucidates the conditions of motherhood showing how black women’s' existence is warped by the severe conditions of slavery. These two novels become apparent how in a patriarchal society a woman can feel guilty when choosing interests, career and self-development before motherhood. That sacrifices have to be made by a mother is obvious and natural, but equality in a relationship means shared responsibility and with that the sacrifices are less on both parts. It argues that although motherhood can be a wonderful experience many women fear it because of the domestication of the mother and the responsibility that ultimately lies on the mother. Domestication refers to how the female is positioned in the home and how the nurturing of the child as well as domestic chores has now become her sphere and duty. It is the exact situation of the mothers in Morrison's two

In Beloved, Morrison portrays a single woman named Sethe, who raises her children with the memories of slavery constantly present. In Beloved the author explores the mother-child bond, presenting depictions of the supernatural where the reader witnesses a dead infant return to life. Sethe is a mother who has experienced terrible events and she is a woman of tremendous, inner strength who has survived the brutality which was a common aspect of slavery. As a result of having experienced the evils of slavery her greatest fear is that her children will suffer this as well. Moreover, in Beloved, as in Sula, the responsibility for raising their children lies with the mother as a result of the absence of the