Domestic Gothic

Lori Cook explores the concept of psychological territoriality through the lens of the Domestic Gothic in Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Gloria Naylor’s Mama Day. The author examines how female protagonists, navigating the traumatic legacy of slavery, reclaim their identities and autonomy within bounded domestic spaces. By analyzing ritualistic household tasks such as cooking, gardening, and childcare, the text demonstrates how these mundane chores are transformed into tools for establishing independence and communal healing. The study highlights a paradoxical tension where everyday duties serve as both a pathway to selfhood and a haunting reminder of past systemic oppression. Ultimately, the sources provide a deep analysis of how African American women historically asserted control over their own hearts, minds, and physical environments.