The Power, Symbolism, and Extension of the Mother in "L'enfant Noir": A Feminine Portrait by a Masculine Author

Abstract

In the lives of most children are influential adults or parents. In the case of Camara Laye in L'enfant noir, the mother is most significant in the training of her son. Although the father is also important, the mother plays a specific role as a nurturer and protector in his life.' The poem at the beginning of the text is a strong testament to the close relationship he had with his mother, and it also pays homage to mothers in general.2 It honors the woman who nursed him, oversaw his first steps, opened his eyes to the beauties of the world, dried his tears, and who was patient at times when he was mischievous. In addition, the book is a monument to extensions of the mother (the grandmother, the aunt, and the guardian), who also function as nurturers. However, the autobiography lacks a penetration into the inner lives of the feminine characters. In this narrative by a masculine author, writing from the point of view of a young boy, we are not presented with the interior world of the women. We do not read of the private triumphs, the intimate frustrations and difficulties, the dreams and unspeakable fantasies, or of the complex relations of the females. Although archetypes and symbols emphasize a feminine presence, they are not sufficient to describe or psychoanalyze the sentiments and emotions of the women. Numerous questions can be posed in regard to this theme. For example, is it possible for a male author to write with authority and comprehension about a feminine character? What are his qualifications? He has a mother, but does this make him an expert on mothers? Does he do justice to the feminine characters in the text? Does he depend on archetypes and universal feminine symbols to depict women? Despite the power, symbolism, and extension of the mother in the text, we also see the limitations of male authorship in presenting this particular feminine portrait.