“I am not just a mother, I am myself”: A Study of Elisa Albert’s After Birth in the Scope of Postpartum Depression Theory
Lamiaa Ahmed Rasheed, Intisar Rashid Khaleel
The current paper examines Elisa Albert’s novel "After Birth" through the lens of postpartum depression theory. The novel follows the experiences of a new mother named Ari, who struggles with feelings of isolation and disconnection from her newborn baby. Through a close analysis of the text, this study explores how Albert portrays the symptoms and effects of postpartum depression, including anxiety, guilt, and detachment. It argues that After Birth provides a powerful and nuanced depiction of postpartum depression that challenges stereotypes and encourages greater understanding and empathy for those who struggle with this often-misunderstood condition. This paper follows Ari’s experience of postpartum depression the four stages of healing from her depression and the importance of social and cultural impacts on mothers and their process of healing.
Keywords: Postpartum Depression (PPT), Motherhood, Healing, Social & cultural impacts, Birth
