Motherhood as Existential Choice: An analytic study of maternal character in short story Sweetness by Toni Morrison

Abstract

Motherhood in Toni Morrison’s Sweetness is portrayed not as a mere biological imperative but as an existential choice deeply entangled with anxieties and societal pressures. While previous research has extensively examined the bittersweet dynamics of cultural acceptance and the representation of colorism in Sweetness, there remains a notable gap in exploring the existential dimensions of motherhood within the text. Addressing this gap, the present study employs a qualitative methodology grounded in feminist and existentialist frameworks to unravel the layered existential dilemmas of motherhood and reimagine maternal identity in ways that challenge conventional stereotypes. The findings reveal that Sweetness presents motherhood as a complex negotiation shaped by internalized racism, societal expectations, and the intersecting forces of race, gender, and class. This intricate depiction underscores the paradoxes of maternal love within oppressive systems, offering a profound critique of traditional maternal narratives.