The Autobiography of My Mother unfolds the life journey of Xuela Richardson as she grapples with the profound absence of her mother, who died shortly after childbirth. Set in the early 1900s, the narrative portrays Xuela's struggle to carve out her identity amidst societal prejudice against her race and gender in Dominica. The novel traces her experiences from infancy through adulthood, culminating in a loveless marriage.

Early Life and Conflicts

Xuela's earliest battles are fought with Ma Eunice, the woman tasked with her care after her mother's death. Ma Eunice, a lone laundress raising her own children, fails to provide the nurturing Xuela yearns for. Their strained relationship symbolizes Xuela's innate resistance to her caretaker's limited social circumstances.

Education and Colonial Critique

Xuela's father, Alfred, eventually moves her from Ma Eunice's care and sends her to school, a rare opportunity for girls of her time. However, she faces hostility there too, particularly from a teacher who embodies the prejudiced mindset of colonialism. The teacher's suspicion of Xuela's intelligence highlights the novel's critique of ingrained beliefs in the inferiority of colonized people. Despite these challenges, Xuela refuses to embrace the notion of inferiority imposed on her by both Ma Eunice and her schoolteacher.

Seeking Identity and Family Struggles

In her quest for identity, Xuela often dreams of her mother, whose Carib Indian heritage offers a sense of belonging. When her father brings her to live with him and his new wife, Xuela faces more adversity. Her stepmother's hostility, both verbal and physical, springs from the perception of Xuela as a threat to her biological children's economic security. At fifteen, Xuela is sent to live with Jacques and Lise LaBatte, acquaintances of her father, in hopes of resolving these tensions.

Understanding Relationships

Living with the LaBattes, Xuela observes the dynamics of their marriage and becomes acutely aware of the dependency entangled in male-female relationships. Mrs. LaBatte's life, defined by economic stability but lacking personal fulfillment, contrasts with Mr. LaBatte's satisfaction derived from ownership, including that of women. Xuela eventually becomes embroiled in a sexual relationship with Mr. LaBatte, leading to a pregnancy she chooses to terminate before fleeing their home to avoid becoming like Mrs. LaBatte.

Forging Independence

Striking out on her own, Xuela embraces independence by working with a road-building crew and later as a doctor's assistant in Roseau, a town larger than her native Massacre. She briefly entertains the possibility of a genuine connection with Roland, a stevedore whom she regards as her social equal. However, Roland's internalized male superiority leads to tensions when he is frustrated by her refusal to become pregnant, viewing it as an assertion of power.

Resignation and Marriage

Her disheartening experience with Roland propels Xuela to accept that the equitable relationship she seeks may never materialize. This acceptance manifests in her marriage to Phillip, a union that bestows upon her financial security, social status, and cultural confidence she has never known. Yet, this comes at the cost of marrying a man devoid of her love, encapsulating her complex navigation through a world rife with discrimination and personal sacrifice.