[M]othering: Exploring Motherhood, Honor-Shame and Patriarchal Convergences in Selected Modern English Fiction by Muslim Writers

Abstract

The present article is a fictional representation of ‘mothering’ in relation to Honor-shame at the backdrop of a patriarchal mindset. The study is based on the analysis of five selected novels by Muslim writers. Various female characters have been chosen from these novels who are either forced into motherhood, like Mumtaz, or willing chose to mother, like Naze and Pembe, and their life trajectories have been examined, through descriptive qualitative approach, to reveal how patriarchal grip on their lives exploits them through mothering to reinforce its hold on the female body and identity. Consequently, these characters are shown to feel alienated not only from their bodies but also from their children. This estrangement further results in self-annihilation, psychological, emotional as well as physical suffering for both mother and their children. The theoretical insights for this study have been drawn from Beauvoir (1949) and Chodorow’s (1978) works. This research is significant as it unravels and informs women especially those dwelling in Muslim societies, such as Pakistan, to resist and challenge oppressive male dominancy. The findings of this research indicate how mothering is strategically and culturally steered and doctored to reinforce and perpetuate male dominancy.