Mother-Daughter Relationships: A Psychoanalytic Perspective in Villette and Clear Light of Day

Abstract: This research paper explores the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships in Villette by Charlotte Brontë and Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai, using psychoanalytic theory as a lens. It dives deeper into how maternal figures, both absent and present, structures the emotional and psychological development of the protagonists. The analysis focuses on key psychoanalytic concepts such as ambivalence, emotional dependence, and individuation, with attention to cultural contexts. The paper aims to provide a comparative analysis, contributing to the discourse on gender, identity, and familial bonds in literature.