The Ideal of Motherhood in Carmen Sylva’s Writings
The Ideal of Motherhood in Carmen Sylva’s Writings

Author(s): Alina Bruckner
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Cultural history, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Aesthetics, Social history, Romanian Literature, Theory of Literature, Sociology of Literature
Published by: Addleton Academic Publishers
Keywords: Carmen Sylva; Queen Elisabeth of Romania; women in literature; motherhood; literary depiction; autobiographical writing; ideal womanhood; martyrdom; German princess; cultural mediation;
Summary/Abstract: Carmen Sylva was a rather successful writer during her lifetime not only due to the topics she dealt with in her writings, but also as a result of her social position as queen of a newly founded, rather unknown monarchy. The particularity of this writer lies primarily in her self-imposed role as cultural intermediate, which influences to a great extent most of her writings, the autobiographical touch being thus emblematic Carmen Sylva. This paper however focuses on the way in which Carmen Sylva chose to depict women in her literary pieces, the autobiographical note being noticeable in this case, as well. Nevertheless, in Carmen Sylva’s opinion, the ideal of womanhood represents in fact motherhood. It is precisely the image of the ideal mother that this paper analyzes, both in the poetry, as well as in the prose of Carmen Sylva. Interestingly enough, the ideal of motherhood turns out to be depicted under two forms, both however focusing around the idea of martyrdom.

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