Where Love and Sacrifice Meet

When you hear the word “Mother,” what comes to mind? Is it the warmth of an embrace? Soothing words? Delicious meals? What about a fighter?

Honors student Brianna Stecher’s thesis research is focused on Gioconda Belli, a writer from Nicaragua who emphasizes the roles of women, especially as mothers and fighters. These two roles are not as distant as one might think. Being a motherly figure does not just apply to one’s own children, but applies to whole communities, nations, and the world. By exploring Belli’s poetry, Brianna is attempting to answer the question of whether it is possible to fulfill the traditional role of a mother while participating in the fight for freedom. The question that comes next is what happens to a society that lacks motherly figures?

In Pursuit of Answers

Brianna is a senior at BYU from the Washington D.C. area, studying Spanish with minors in Political Science and Music. This interdisciplinary approach to education means she can spread her wings, exploring the world in a unique way. Through research and asking questions Brianna has found meaning and purpose in her studies.

For example, writing her Great Question Essay two years ago showed her the value of seeking answers, even when those answers are elusive. “I am more prone to ask those deeper questions that don’t have an easy yes or no or an immediate answer,” she said.

Now, Brianna has turned her focus to her Honors thesis and continues to pursue answers. Dr. Mac Wilson, her thesis advisor, shared that Brianna works incredibly hard at her research. “I have seen her grow in confidence as a budding scholar…one of the things I’ve noticed along the way is how much patience she has with the scholarly process. She understands the value of the rough draft.”

Questions that arise from Belli’s poetry are deeply personal to Brianna as a woman and daughter of a Nicaraguan immigrant. This process presents an understanding of her ancestors and the struggles and love they carried. Brianna explained that in 1979, through the Sandinista Revolution, the people of Nicaragua overthrew a dictatorship. Decades later, however, the government is still built on an oppressive system, with Nicaraguans continuing the fight for freedom and peace. Brianna hopes to better understand the balance between love and sacrifice through exploring Belli's poems.

Balance and Sacrifice of Love

For example, in the poem “Nicaragua agua fuego” Belli speaks of her country as a child of her own, one she loves dearly. She laments its wounds as if it is a living person that needs protection and healing. Belli is torn in her love between duty for country and responsibility for her own children. Brianna explains that “being an active influence for good in a child’s life can have the most impact. This will help children to grow up and influence the world in such a large way.” Fulfilling the traditional role of a mother can mold people who will be fighters of peace. Choosing where to focus love and care requires sacrifice of some kind, but where is the line? Can a woman be a mother and a fighter?

Analyzing the poetry and experiences of Belli has led Brianna to the conclusion that “when there is the lack of the immediate presence of a mother, the “child” will struggle in the search for that…to have their needs met.” Whether it be a nation that is loved, a community, or a home with children, a mother’s role cannot be understated. The responsibility within women is to influence society and make change for the better. This privilege can show up in different forms, but love is the motivating factor, Brianna noted. Belli’s unique feminist voice focuses not only on the power of women, but also the capacity for change they have in roles of motherhood.

Belli has pursued the balancing act of mother to children of her own and to Nicaragua. Expressing this in writing “gives to these children and these people this hope even if you’re not all put together…and you have multiple things that you really want and love but don’t know how to balance them. This expression can have the good influence you want,” Brianna said. Understanding sacrifices made for love isn’t always clear, but Belli’s children and country get to grasp her why. She took the opportunity to share her battle and let her choices be understood.

In thinking about her future roles in motherhood, Brianna has thought about how she will show her love. Knowing what is worthy of sacrifice is hard, but she’s learning how she will explain herself. Being a mother and fighting for peace does not need to be an internal war, she explained. This fine balance is difficult but has an impact beyond imagination. All people must choose when to extend love and when to sacrifice for the greater good. Like persevering in finding elusive answers to questions, committing to love results in extraordinary joys.