The Depiction of Mother and Baby Homes in Irish Contemporary Fiction: Everyone is vulnerable, but is there hope for the future?
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2023-08-15
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en
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The Irish Mother and Baby homes have recently sparked animated discussion of the treatment of unmarried mothers in twentieth century Ireland. These women were often sent to institutions, away from the public eye, in order to maintain the nationalist image of a pure, independent Ireland. In the present, many victims of this system are speaking up about their experiences, leading to government investigations into their treatment. However, authors have also responded, by depicting the institutions within their novels, instigating conversations about the abuse that took place. More recently, Irish authors are shifting towards a more hopeful depiction of the future, wherein healing from past trauma may be possible. This thesis discusses the novels Small Things Like These (2021), by Claire Keegan, and The Paper Bracelet (2020), by Rachael English, and analyses their depiction of the Mother and Baby homes.
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Faculteit der Letteren