Sue Monk Kidd wrote The Invention of Wings primarily because she was profoundly drawn to the story of Hetty, a character whose journey resonated deeply with Kidd's own sense of purpose. Her motivation stemmed from a personal identification with the themes of seeking and deep engagement with the world.
A Personal Connection to Seeking and Engagement
Kidd found herself compelled to tell Hetty's story because she views herself as a "seeker" – someone on a mission to profoundly connect with and understand the world around her. This personal characteristic became a driving force behind her desire to bring Hetty's narrative to life.
Her own background provides context for this inclination:
- Growing Up in a Traditional Era: Kidd matured during a period when societal expectations heavily influenced women to follow conventional paths.
- Embracing Traditional Roles: In many aspects, she conformed to these expectations, marrying, pursuing a career as a nurse, and raising two children.
This personal journey, navigating a world with defined expectations while nurturing an inner drive for deeper engagement, likely informed her connection to Hetty's struggles and aspirations depicted in the novel.
Thematic Resonance
The act of writing The Invention of Wings allowed Kidd to explore universal themes of freedom, identity, and the courage to live authentically, all through the lens of Hetty's experiences. Her personal quest for deeper engagement aligns with the novel's exploration of characters striving for self-realization and challenging the constraints of their time.
