A Critical Reading Of Black Motherhood In Toni Morrison’s A Mercy

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to represent how motherhood has autonomy when it is seen detached from patriarchal construct. Motherhood plays an important role in women’s life. It gives women a sense of purpose and responsibility. In Morrison’s view motherhood seems to be an act of resistance, essential and integral to black women’s fight against racism, sexism and their ability to achieve wellbeing for themselves and their culture. Morrison points that motherhood deteriorates women. Through A Mercy, Morrison represents the experiences of women who are complete as mother. Linda Wagner – Martin argues that Morrison’s fictions varies in drawing the role of mothers, as well as the outcomes of that mothering in the equally varied characters of children, provide necessary critical information. Patriarchy does not treat black and white motherhood identically. The image of black mother is always diverged and contradictory. Hence the patriarchal society affects the purity of black motherhood and projects them as an object of sexuality.