“모성성”의 허상과 “여성상”의 왜곡 해체하기

Dismantlement of the falsehood of Motherhood and of Womanliness in The Joys of Motherhood and Ulysses

Both in the Western society and in the Eastern society the concept of "a chaste wife and good mother" has been considered as the most important virtue of a woman. The problem regarding this notion is that it replaces the individuality of a woman with the role of a wife and mother. Emecheta's The Joys of Motherhood and Joyce's Ulysses commonly focuses on the falsehood of motherhood with different narrative methods. The Joys of Motherhood highlights the miserable life and the tragic death of Nnu Ego who is trapped by the concept of "motherhood" in both the traditional African place of "Ibuza" and the modern place of "Lagos." Ulysses evokes Penelope, the most exemplary good wife and wise mother, and then replaces her with Molly whose character is contrary to that of Penelope who keeps her chastity in spite of the absence of her husband for 19 years. Molly's powerful inner monologue, which is arranged in the last chapter, enables her to subvert the statements of male characters such as Deacy and Citizen who reveals patriarchal perspectives. Molly flaunts her own sexual desire and sexual intercourses with other men, dismantling the double standard about chastity in the western society.