Re-visioning Motherhood and the Mother-child Bond in Ruth Gilligan’s The Butchers

This chapter explores the nuanced portrayals of motherhood in twenty-first century Irish literature by women writers, focusing on Ruth Gilligan’s The Butchers. It examines how mother-child relationships navigate societal norms and economic conditions, since the novel is set against the backdrop of the Celtic Tiger. Drawing on theories by Adrienne Rich, Luce Irigaray and Sara Ruddick, the analysis also highlights the transformative potential of the mother-child bond, especially in empowering daughters. The chapter thus illuminates how contemporary depictions of otherhood challenge traditional idealisations and stereotyped views.