Motherhood versus Womanhood in Iraqi Literature

Undergraduates: Alexis Bigelow, Kaya Hedt

Faculty Advisor: Claudia Yaghoobi
Department: Radiologic Science

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In Alia Mamdouh¿¿¿s novel, The Loved Ones, the portrayal of the relationship between mother and son as a source of pain for both parties is revolutionary because it exposes a woman¿¿¿s multifaceted view on a relationship that is often oversimplified by male authors. From the child¿¿¿s perspective, Mamdouh juxtaposes Nader¿¿¿s memories of his mother¿¿¿s overbearing love with his memories of war in his home-country of Iraq. From the mother¿¿¿s perspective, Mamdouh compares Suhaila¿¿¿s physical pain and illness to the emotional pain she felt from her son¿¿¿s abandonment and her loss of identity as a mother. This complicated feminine perspective is critical for an audience of women seeking comfort and community in what is often an isolating part of life. Additionally, in order for men to understand and empathize with the challenges women face they must first be exposed to women¿¿¿s views on their own experiences and identities. Mamdouh¿¿¿s novel disrupts a female narrative that men all too often dominate. This will be portrayed on our poster through direct quotations in the novel, visual imagery, and information from previous articles about women¿¿¿s multifaceted views.