Reflecting on the emotional lines of matriliny within the social structure of patriliny, each narrative in A Space of Her Own is a tale of how the author fought to establish her own personhood and ceate a sphere of autonomy where she is able to make decisions to nurture herself and those around her. Four themes emerge prominently from these narratives: The role of renegade predecessors in the family who set out a pattern of independence that paved the way for, or inspired, the author., The presence of mothers or grandmothers who came forward in situations of stress to exhibit unforeseen strengths; and mothers whose demand for personal space remained unfulfilled, but which became a source of determination for the author., The stories of obstacles overcome-the biggest of which is being born female in a culture that denigrates, distrusts, and ultimately fears women., The effects of external social change which, along with internal family dynamics, made the authors who they are today.