The Representation of Motherhood in Betty Mahmoody’s Not Without My Daughter (1987) and Emma Donoghue’s Room (2010): A Comparative Study
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Date
2025-07-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Université Mouloud Mammeri Tizi Ouzou
Abstract
This dissertation is a comparative study between Not Without My Daughter (1987) by the American writer Betty Mahmoody and Room (2010) by the Irish- Canadian writer Emma Donoghue. The central issue of this comparison is to demonstrate how the sacrifice of motherhood is presented in both novels at different periods of time. The study focuses on the essential role of motherhood, and the challenges mothers faced to survive and protect their children during their isolation from the outside world and after their freedom. To accomplish our goal, we have adopted a theory developed by Nancy Chodorow: The Reproduction of Mothering Psychoanalysis and the Sociology of Gender (1978). The analysis demonstrates the two novels that share similarities in order to is to show the negative effects of oppression on individuals and the ability of Betty and Ma to protect their own child and overcome difficulties. In addition, it shows how two stories can produce similar perspectives.
Description
57p. ; (+CD-Rom)
Keywords
Role of motherhood, challenges, gender roles, economic dependency, lack of father involvement
Citation
Literature and Interdisciplinary Approaches