Undergraduate Honors Theses
Title
The Original Helicopter Moms: Toni Morrison's Tragic Maternal Love and the Healing Greek Polis
Thesis Defended
Spring 2013
Document Type
Thesis
Department
English
First Advisor
Cheryl Higashida
Abstract
I entered into this academic endeavor with the intention of exploring the multiple representations of love within Toni Morrison’s works. With a through reading of a significant number of her novels, I noticed that many of her characters, particularly mothers, chose to display their love for others through violent actions, a repetitive correlation wrought with tragic Greek undertones. Exploring both of these sources, yet another parallel unfolded when examining the healing power of the community in repairing various wounds inflicted through harmful maternal interactions. With these findings, I was able to explore how the communities within both Morrison’s Song of Solomon and Beloved relate to the ancient Greek concept of the polis and its ability to heal through initiation and acceptance.
Recommended Citation
Lindsey, Kelsey Anne, "The Original Helicopter Moms: Toni Morrison's Tragic Maternal Love and the Healing Greek Polis" (2013). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 424.
https://scholar.colorado.edu/honr_theses/424