Female identity formation: relationships in Toni Morrison's novels

This thesis uses the multiplicative approach developed by Deborah King and Patricia Hill Collins to analyze female identity formation in Toni Morrison's novels Sula, Jazz and Beloved. I focus on black women's differential experiences and the female characters' relationships with female friends, romantic partners, elders and ancestors. Female friendship is often formed through solidarity among female characters. Race plays an important role in the formation of this bond, although at times, class and gender inform the meaning of race. Through friendship, women overcome emotional pain. Without first accomplishing self-fulfillment, women are not able to enter successful romantic relationships, although in certain cases, race and class change the meaning of gender and a romantic partner plays a crucial role in a female character's ability to overcome emotional trauma. Pivotal in female identity formation is also women's relationships with their elders, who, through the process of "~rememoration,' connect the characters to their ancestors. --Leaf ii.