introduction 1 gloria naylor in the critical world 2 the significance of the research 3 the theoretical framework and structure of the research chapter one the construction of northern utopias in the women of breuster place and linden hills 1 migration and the northern paradise 2 the utopian representation of brewster place and patriarchal linden hills 3 the dystopias of brewster place and linden hills 4 the utopian elements of brewster place and linden hills chapter two the construction of a southern utopia in mama day 1 naylors southern plex 2 the utopian practice of the matriarchal day family 3 the deconstructive factors chapter three transgressive uropianism in baileys caf and the men of brewster place y 1 the transgression of north-south 2 the transgression of universalism-nationalism 3 the transgression of patriarchy/matriarchy conclusion bibliography acknowledgements