From Grief to Reconciliation: Reading Maternal Experiences in Hope and Emergence

Abstract Studying the psychological ramifications of maternal experiences, particularly Postpartum Depression (PPD) and its theorization happen to be of immense significance in the era of medical humanities. Researchers and scholars have started defining PPD and exploring various psycho-social factors that lead to the cause and sustenance of PPD. The intention behind writing about such private experiences and making them public, however, is not much explored.In this paper, Hope and Emergence: A Journey through Grief and Postpartum Depression (2015) by Kirsten Falsey is analyzed through the lens of maternal theory to find out the various socio-cultural factors that cause and intensify Falsey’s experiences of PPD. The paper examines various narrative techniques the author employs to represent her experiences of PPD. Additionally, the writer’s intention behind writing this memoir and making her private experiences public is explored utilizing the principles of theory of intentionality.