Aborted Motherhood and Traumatic History. An Analysis of Some Contemporary Romanian Novels by Women Writers

Abstract

This article discusses the fictional transpositions of a traumatic event in recent Romanian history in some contemporary novels by women writers. Decree 770/1966 meant the brutal intervention of the paternalistic state in the private lives of its citizens and the redefinition of gender roles to the effect of translating reproductive roles into productive ones. The theme of abortion is analysed from the theoretical perspective of new historicism and cultural materialism and through a feminine and feminist lens in a number of works published by Romanian contemporary women authors in the past few years.