Mother and Daughter Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the way mothers pass down feminine values to their daughters often causes conflict, for both persons. The author points out that the mothers in the two stories, "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen and "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates, live under differing circumstances with dissimilar relationships with their daughters; however, both mothers, inadvertently or not, have favored one child with more attention and nurturing than the other child. The paper concludes, from the literature, that enjoying the complete love of a mother and at the same time maintaining complete autonomy is a very delicate and intense challenge because most women continue to identify strongly with their mothers, even after they themselves become adults. The paper includes several quotations.

From the Paper:

"There are many books and novels published regarding the unusual dynamics between mothers and daughters. Amy Tan's novel, "The Joy Luck Club", addresses her issues with her mother's demanding and controlling ways and Tan's inability to ever live up to her mother's expectations, no matter how brilliantly she tries. There are currently young adult novels on the library shelves to help adolescent girls develop a healthier relationship with their mothers. It is interesting how many women have issues with their mothers."

Sample of Sources Used:

• ABC News "Love Her or Hate Her, She's Still Your Mom. Navigating the Most Complicated -- and Important -- Female Relationship. 1/27/06. Accessed 04/13/06 http://www.abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id
• Nadeu, Frances "The Mother/Daughter Relationship in Young Adult Fiction" The Alan Review, Vermont Images, Winter, 1995. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/winter95/Nadeau.html
• Oates, Joyce Carol "Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?" The Wheel of Love, John Hawkins & Associates, New York: 1970.
• Olsen, Tillie "I Stand Here Ironing" Tell Me a Riddle. Bantam Doubleday, New York: 1961.
• Real, Terrance, "Confronting the social causes of psychological depression: Too taboo?" The Radical Middle Newsletter: thoughtful idealism, informed hope. Mark Satin, Editor April 2002 http://www.radicalmiddle.com/x_psych_deprn.htm

More papers on Mother and Daughter Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 38386 : "Mother and Daughters in Canadian Literature"
• Comparison Essay # 92345 : "Mothers and Daughters"
• Analytical Essay # 135397 : "Mothers and Daughters"

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