Insights of Mother-Unborn Child Relationship in Jahnavi Barua's Rebirth

Motherhood is widely acknowledged as a complex and transformative journey that profoundly impacts a woman’s sense of self and forever alters the course of her life. Jahnavi Barua published her first novel, Rebirth, in 2010. It follows the journey of a mother who shares her important moments of life and vivid memories with her unborn child. The mother communicates with her unborn child from the very beginning until birth. The novel beautifully captures the pain and love of motherhood, as well as the intense emotions experienced by the main character, Kaberi. Jahnavi Barua has experienced the anguish and strength that a woman exhibits in the strangest and most impossible circumstances. The author skilfully employs specific details to portray the main character’s internal struggles and uncertainty as she contends with the conflicting emotions of motherhood and heartbreak. The challenges of betrayal and sorrow complicatedly connect Kaberi’s inner and exterior worlds. This paper aims to demonstrate how the novel explores the bond between a mother and her unborn child, as well as Kaberi’s psychological growth as she navigates the concept of “motherhood” in various ways throughout the novel. The act of giving birth is similar to rewriting one’s identity as a woman and refashioning oneself. This paper aims to illustrate how Kaberi, the protagonist, navigates her individuality and embraces it with courage, while carrying her unborn child and surpassing her indifferent spouse, ultimately attaining her desired position. In contrary, the novel explores the transformative journey of a mother as she connects with her unborn child.