The influence of motherhood in the construction of female identity: A subversive approach to motherhood in Erendiz Atasü’s novels

Abstract

Within masculine ideology the concept of motherhood remains essential to female identity. That is why it is important to focus on the representations of motherhood in literature, where the most controversial discussions of feminism can be found. The issue of motherhood remains an unresolved issue today, with opposing arguments even within the feminist movement. This paper aims to analyse the issue of motherhood in the novels of Erendiz Atasü, who has acquired an undisputed place as a feminist writer in Turkish literature. She undermines the traditional concept of motherhood and uses it as a tool for deciphering and transforming masculine ideology.