Motherhood, Identity, and Womanhood in Contemporary World Narratives

Motherhood has long been idealized as a sacred and fulfilling experience across cultures; however, contemporary world literature increasingly challenges this romanticized notion by foregrounding the complexities, struggles, and identity transformations associated with it. This paper examines how modern narratives reconstruct motherhood not merely as a biological or social role but as a site of conflict, resistance, and self-realization. Drawing on selected texts such as The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and The Vegetarian by Han Kang, the study explores how motherhood intersects with identity, trauma, patriarchy, and cultural expectations. Using feminist and postcolonial theoretical frameworks, this paper argues that contemporary literature redefines womanhood by presenting motherhood as both empowering and oppressive. The analysis highlights how these narratives destabilize traditional ideals and open new discourses on autonomy, body politics, and emotional resilience.