SHADOWS OF THE UNSEEN: MATERNAL ABSENCE AND THE QUEST FOR IDENTITY

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This article explores the profound impact of maternal absence on the construction of identity in three contemporary novels: Ian McEwan’s Atonement (2001), Patrick McGrath’s Asylum (1996), and Toni Morrison’s Beloved (1987). By utilizing the Lacanian idea of “Lack”, the study depicts the profound impact of parental absence on the formation of one’s identity. The potential impact of Lacanian theory on the characters’ self-perception and identity formation is analyzed and it specifically focuses on the absence of the mother figure. Additionally, it considers trauma and attachment theory when examining the psychological effects of this absence, with a particular emphasis on how the presence of a mother figure influences the formation of one’s identity. This study aims to analyze the several ways in which narratives depict and mirror the intricate duality of maternal absence and psychological “lack,” and how these factors impact the emotional and psychological growth of the main characters. The objective of this study is to contextualize these literary works within a broader theoretical framework in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the intricate connection between maternal influence, trauma, and the development of one’s identity. This further contributes to the ongoing conversation on the significance of mother characters in literature and their exceptional influence on the formation of personal identity.