The power of maternal writing : a critical analysis of Naomi Wolf's memoir misconceptions : truth, lies, and the unexpected on the journey to motherhood

Abstract EN

In her book of woman born (1976), the eminent American feminist scholar Adrienne rich calls on mothers to unveil their mothering experiences through writing, an idea echoed by many other feminists such as Marianne Hirsch in the mother / daughter plot (1989).

despite this appeal, maternal voices remain largely missing as mother writers keep their maternal anxieties a secret.

this research paper sheds light on Naomi wolf's memoir misconceptions (2001) as an endeavor in which a mother writer bravely exposes her motherhood journey.

contrary to many responses that criticize wolf's work, this article frames the study as valuable and empowering.

drawing on Andrea O Reilly's theory of matricentric feminism, this paper posits wolf's narrative as a reflexive mirror to contemporary motherhood with all its challenges and complexities.

the memoir participates in the ongoing struggle to move mothers from patriarchal motherhood to empowered mothering.