The Womanhood Embraced by Paule Marshall in Brown Girl, Brownstones

Abstract

The present research highlights womanhood attributes and characteristics in Paule Marshall's first novel "Brown Girl, Brownstones". It analyzes the various women characters in the novel and sheds light on different attributes of womanhood in them. This is done through Selina's life experiences. The present research offers a female perspective on conflict, racism, grief, love, greed, and the bitter truth of discrimination under the lie of American inclusivity mentioned in the novel. It shows the journey of Selina from division to oneness towards her family, friends, and community, from being a girl to becoming a woman. The research talks about an environment depicted in the novel where all womanhood features sometimes coexist in peace while they conflict with each other in other instances.

The research ends with the identification of the protagonist's characteristics as inferred from the novel. The identified characteristics are Assertiveness, Empathy, Imperfection, Power and Courage, Self-Esteem, and Confidence.