The Infanticidal Mother as the Speaking Subject

Abstract

ABSTRACT The infanticidal mother has been represented in culture and in our psyches in various forms, but consistently as monstrous or mad. She has become the object and the catchall for our bad mother or Death Mother complexes and drives. In her work with such women the author hears their stories, not as monstrous, evil, or crazy, but as subjects with stories to tell, of which we know only the ending. By continuing to keep the infanticidal mother as Other, we keep our own dark drives hidden in the shadows; if, instead, we approach her as a speaking Subject, we allow for a fuller experience of Mother.