In Mother Is a Verb, Sarah Knott creates a history of motherhood that, like the experience itself, is both deeply personal and also rife with universal parallels. Motherhood has long been an elusive subject for historians, given the scarcity of archival evidence, but Knott has found a way to bridge this gap, by weaving in her own experience of motherhood. An historian at Indiana University Bloomington, Knott uncovers narratives from women traditionally neglected in the historical record, including Native Americans and enslaved people. The combination of accounts from a diverse range of women across history and Knott’s personal experiences create what she calls an “unconventional history,” one which captures the challenges, joys, and powers of motherhood.

Preorder your copy of Mother Is a Verb: An Unconventional History through the CHF box office and save 20%.

This program is presented in partnership with the College Arts and Humanities Institute at Indiana University.

Become a member to get early access to tickets and support Festival programming like Sarah Knott!

Hyde Park Day is made possible through the generous support of Bank of America.