the problematics of motherhood in twentieth century women's fiction

107
Jaya of That Long Silence and Indu of Roots and Shadows,
Sam also reduces childbirth to an animalistic actlv~ty
She feels that her labour has made "an animal out of heru
(DH
motherhood
147) and views this process as the painful prelude to
3.4.2.1. In addition, Saru 1s torn because of the
psychological pressures and maternal wilt she experiences
because of not living up to the Ideal image of motherhood
Her mother's negatlve Influence makes her assert that she
would not repeat her mother, but In reallty she is not able
to practlse what she states
Was she an unnatural, unloving mother? She had
sworn she would never fall her children in love
and understanding as her own mother had done
That she would be to her chlldren all that her own
mother had not been to her (DH 146)
Unllke Meridlan, however, Saru 1s unable to relinquish her
role as mother although she temporarily abandons lt
It 1s
the thought of her chlldren that prevents her from
separating from her husband, Manu.
Although Meridla?. at
some point ylelds to maternal pressures, she later relects
the role outrlght when it becomes an imposition of ldeolow
3.4.2.2. The estrangement between Saru and her daughter.
Renu, seems to be a reiteration of the strained relationship
between Saru and her mother -- the same pattern repeats
itself. Renu's quiet watchfulness reminds her of her mother