Paule Marshall's literary journey is marked by her profound exploration of identity, culture, and womanhood. Her body of work reveals a tapestry of themes, interwoven with the personal and the collective. Daughters, her fourth novel, emerges as another compelling chapter in this narrative, embodying her continued commitment to examining the self-discovery of women straddling multiple cultural identities. It builds on the foundation laid by her previous works, each of which delves into the intricacies of life within the African diaspora.

Marshall's debut, Brown Girl, Brownstones (1959), stands as a quintessential bildungsroman, chronicling the coming-of-age journey with a broader understanding of self and heritage. As the years passed, its esteem and popularity have only grown, attesting to the timelessness of its themes. Following this, The Chosen Place, the Timeless People (1969) expands beyond individual narratives and delves into the fabric of an entire community. It boldly tackles overarching ideas that resonate with the collective consciousness, blending personal and societal struggles into a grand narrative.

With Praisesong for the Widow (1983), Marshall ventured into the life of a middle-aged, middle-class African American woman, exploring themes of reinvention and self-assertion. This novel allowed her to express a powerful belief: the inherent right of women to reclaim and reshape their lives at any age. It reflects her commitment to portraying women’s journeys towards self-realization and empowerment.

Marshall's creative voice is deeply rooted in her upbringing and the influences that shaped her. She often recounts the profound impact of her mother and the Barbados women who congregated in her mother's kitchen, spinning tales after toiling through long days of labor. To Marshall, these women were unsung poets, and she sees her work as a tribute—an acknowledgment of their unrecorded artistry and resilience. "I see myself as someone who is to serve as a vehicle for these marvelous women who never got a chance, on paper, to be the poets that they were," she once remarked. Her novels honor their sacrifices, allowing their daughters, and indeed herself, the freedom to express, explore, and create.