Representations of the Mother-in-Law in Literature, Film, Drama, and Television

Jo Parnell is conjoint research fellow to the Faculty of Education and Arts at University of Newcastle.

Jo Parnell has curated an enthralling and exceptional collection of essays on media representations of an almost entirely neglected figure in our social, cultural and familial landscape – the mother-in-law. Acknowledging, exploring and, at times, refuting, the pervasive negative stereotype of the trope of the mother-in-law, it is so exciting to see the work of scholars from a range of countries and continents side by side as they investigate this much-maligned figure. From its discussions of representations in Roman Antiquity to those on television tonight, this volume is a must-read – for elucidation and scholarly reference, and for the pure pleasure of reading the insightful writings collected.

• Foreword by Josephine MayPreface by Jo ParnellPart 1: The Mothers-in-Law of the FutureA Cultural Appraisal of the Significance of the Role of the Mother-in-Law Among the Yoruba People of NigeriaCecilia Alero Titilayo Saibu Mother-in-Law Soap Opera: Redefining the Mother-in-Law, Redesigning the Kenyan NationWafula David Yenjela Oppressor or Oppressed: The M(other) – in-Law in Nigerian Women’s LiteratureShalini NadaswaranStereotyped Representations of the Black Mother-In-Law in Reality Television Shows: A Critical AnalysisMarquita Gammage Part II: Foundational Mothers-in-LawThe Mother-in-Law in Latin Literature and Roman SocietyJane Bellemore and Terry RyanExclusive Intimacies: Creating Mothers-in-Law in Japanese Literature and FilmMiglena (Maggie) IvanovaOgresses, Queens and Wicked Fairies: Fairy-tale Mothers-in-Law from Charles Perrault to Shrek and Once Upon a TimeLydia Brugué Botia and Auba Llompart PonsCold Springs: Cinematic Portraits of Sara RooseveltAndrew HowePart III: Entertaining Mothers-in-LawThe Evil Dame in British Horror Film: Domestic Nightmare and Change of Times of in Fanatic and PersecutionFernando Gabriel Pagnoni Berns, and Leonardo Acosta Lando and Diego Foronda “The Worst Person I Know”: Representations of the Mother-in-Law in British Popular EntertainmentMartina LiptonDorothy Cannell’s How to Murder your Mother-in-Law: Women, Sisterhood and FeminismZoly Rakotoniera Afterword by Hugh Craig