Bree Nieves

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Zabriskie, Queen

Area of Concentration

Religion

Abstract

This thesis analyzes representations of and ideals about motherhood using Patricia Hill Collin’s theories about the “Hegemonic Domain,” one of four interrelated domains of power in society. Motherhood is both a constructed pedagogical system and a place for radical love and creativity. In this thesis, I focus on the Christian history of motherhood and analyze the authority that Church fathers give to the Virgin Mary through biblical references and images. I focus on the misreading of biblical scripture and argue for the necessity to reimagine and rework time-worn constructs of motherhood. I also discuss the Genesis account, Christian biological assumptions and ideas about patriarchal accessibility to the female body, both physically and metaphorically. Building on my discussion of the myths surrounding the female body, my thesis examines the ways in which ideals around motherhood have been used to control and oppress women of color who are mothers. I then shift my focus in this thesis to examine the political and healing power of creating counter-narratives to hegemonic conceptions of motherhood. Specifically, I argue that women can use their experiences as a way to reimagine and redefine the “commonsense” understandings of motherhood. Additionally, women of color can and do use these new definitions and images to uplift, liberate, and empower themselves and other women. I use performative writing in my last chapter to show my personal navigation of these concepts. I do this through a discussion of my multi-media installation “Body with a Heart Shaped Face,” prayer, poetry, and anecdote.

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