Institutionalized Motherhood and Maternal Practice in Mercè Rodoreda’s La plaza del Diamante

This essay reevaluates Natalia/Colometa’s experience of motherhood in Mercè Rodoreda’s La plaza del Diamante (La plaça del Diamant, 1962). Feminist readings of the novel have consistently claimed that the protagonist rejects motherhood, pointing to the hardship and frustration her children cause and the lack of affection she often expresses toward Toni and Rita. Yet to argue that Colometa rejects maternity by emphasizing her un-motherly attitude not only ignores textual evidence of her concern for her children’s welfare but also inadvertently posits a false binary: women either act as mothers should according to patriarchal societal norms or rebel against their maternal duties. By analyzing the protagonist’s relationship with her children through feminist and queer approaches to mothering studies, this essay offers an alternative account of Colometa’s experience of motherhood that both highlights and reconciles her conflicting attitudes toward Toni and Rita. Despite the demands of institutionalized motherhood that often leave her frustrated, angry, and guilt-stricken, Colometa does not reject or even remain indifferent to her maternal role. Rather, she consistently engages in the maternal work that mothering entails and endeavors to act in the best interests of her children.