While researching for my Ph.D., I decided to delve into Greek mythology to determine whether I could find a story that could illuminate my understanding of mothering and my interest in maternal ambivalence. I discovered the myth of Demeter and Persephone, which, while thousands of years old, demonstrates how a mythical mother, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, weathers changes and obstacles in her relationship with her daughter. The mother’s search for and ultimate reunion with her daughter, Persephone, sends symbolic messages about mothering that speak to maternal trauma and loss.

Myths are not literal; they are generational stories that are continually adapted and retold. The personal experience and creativity of each narrator and listener move him or her to ascribe personal meaning to the tale as new versions continually surface

In this vein, Demeter and Persephone’s story has helped me to refine and bolster my understanding of mothering and maternal ambivalence. The myth has........

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