Notes on Postcolonial Black Motherhood in Jesmyn Ward's Novels

Overview

• The article discusses Jesmyn Ward's novels, showcasing Black motherhood in contemporary U.S. society.

• It draws connections between Ward's work and Toni Morrison's literary contributions, focusing on representation and historical context of Black women.

Key Themes

• Controlling Images: Introduced by Patricia Hill Collins, these are stereotypes that shape the perception of Black women, specifically the mammy, jezebel, welfare mother, and matriarch. These images undermine Black women's identities and experiences.

  • Mammy: Represents loyal, nurturing Black women serving white families, reinforcing economic exploitation.

  • Jezebel: Sexualizes Black women, justifying violence and control over their bodies.

  • Welfare Mother: Stigmatizes Black women as irresponsible for having children they cannot support.

  • Matriarch: Portrays Black women as aggressive and neglectful, often used to blame them for societal issues.

Literary Connections

• Toni Morrison's Influence: Morrison's works serve as a foundation for understanding Black women's narratives. Like Morrison, Ward aims to excavate erased histories and critiques systemic racism and sexism.

  • Morrison’s novels

  • The Bluest Eye: Illustrates internalized racism and the quest for acceptance among Black families.

  • Sula: Explores friendship and complex dynamics within communities.

  • Beloved: Addresses the traumatic legacy of slavery and motherhood.

The Role of Black Motherhood in Salvage the Bones and Sing, Unburied, Sing

• Salvage the Bones (2013):

  • Follows Esch, a young girl in Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina, grappling with her identity and motherhood.

  • Esch reclaims her sexuality, discovering empowerment in her pregnancy and rejecting destructive stereotypes.

  • The landscape and family dynamics reflect systemic poverty and racial trauma.

• Sing, Unburied, Sing (2017):

  • Focuses on Leonie, a drug-addicted mother, and the implications of the carceral state on Black families.

  • Explores the challenges of motherhood against the backdrop of systemic racism, highlighting kinship networks and collective motherwork.

Conceptual Analysis

• Motherwork: The article emphasizes the role of Black women in caring for their families and communities, often under oppressive conditions. This includes both biological mothering and “othermothering,” where community members support children beyond their biological ties.

• Intersectionality: The intersection of race, class, and gender shapes the experiences of Black mothers, who navigate multiple forms of oppression in their daily lives.

Conclusion

• Ward's novels challenge and dismantle controlling images of Black motherhood, advocating for self-definition and empowerment.

• By intertwining historical narratives with contemporary issues, the literature works to reclaim identities and highlight the resilience of Black mothers.

Implications for Future Study

• Future studies could further explore the representation of Black motherhood in literature and its relation to contemporary social issues, as well as the ongoing impact of historical stereotypes on modern perspectives.