Metaphor as a means of shaping the concept ‘narcissistic parent’ in Karyl McBride’s Will I ever be good enough? Healing the daughters of narcissistic mothers

Abstract

This article studies the role of metaphor in Karyl McBride’s work Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers (2008). By analyzing the text through the lens of conceptual metaphor theory and literary analysis, the study demonstrates how McBride utilizes mythological, cultural, and psychological metaphors to shape readers’ understanding of narcissistic parenting style. Metaphors such as the “mask,” the “devouring mother,” the “mirror,” and the “wounded child” construct the narcissistic parent not only as a clinical figure but as an archetype embedded in cultural perception. The findings suggest that metaphor in McBride’s work functions as both an explanatory and therapeutic device, enabling readers to relate and reframe painful experiences, overcome denial, and develop strategies for healing and recovery.