Toni Morrison and motherhood : a politics of the heart / Andrea O'Reilly.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

O'Reilly, Andrea, 1961-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Morrison, Toni, 1931-2019--Characters--Mothers.

Morrison, Toni.

Morrison, Toni, 1931-2019.

Domestic fiction, American--History and criticism.

Domestic fiction, American.

Morrison, Toni, 1931-2019--Political and social views.

African American families in literature.

African American women in literature.

Mother and child in literature.

Motherhood in literature.

Mothers in literature.

Political and social views.

Mothers.

Physical Description:

xiv, 229 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, [2004]

Summary:

Mothering is a central issue for feminist theory, and motherhood is also a persistent presence in the work of Toni Morrison. Examining Morrison's novels, essays, speeches, and interviews, Andrea O'Reilly illustrates how Morrison builds upon black women's experiences of and perspectives on motherhood to develop a view of black motherhood that is, in terms of both maternal identity and role, radically different from motherhood as practiced and prescribed in the dominant culture. Motherhood, in Morrison's view, is fundamentally and profoundly an act of resistance, essential and integral to black women's fight against racism (and sexism) and their ability to achieve well-being for themselves and their culture. The power of motherhood and the empowerment of mothering are what make possible the better world we seek for ourselves and for our children. This, argues O'Reilly, is Morrison's maternal theory--a politics of the heart.

Notes:

Based on author's thesis (Ph. D.)--York University.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-215) and index.

ISBN:

0791460754

0791460762

OCLC:

54081776