The novel Mama Day written by Gloria Naylor is set on the fictional island of Willow Springs near the coast of Georgia. It has a lot in common with Shakespeare’s drama “The Tempest” and tells the story of Miranda – “Mama Day”, Abigail (Miranda’s sister), Ophelia (Abigail’s granddaughter) and her husband George. In fact, George and Ophelia along with the 3-person narrator are telling the story, looking back on the events that happened a long time ago.

The author steps aside and gives her characters a chance to speak, thus allowing the reader to see and hear events from two different points of view. This is one of the most distinctive features of this novel.
The book tells about Miranda’s past and present. She never had her own children, but had worked as the doctor and a midwife on the island and often took on a mother’s role when it came to Ophelia. She helps out other islanders and functions as a wise woman and a healer. For example, she heals Bernice, who had problems with conceiving a child and misused fertility drugs. Mama Day uses unconventional medicine to treat her patients and believes that nature is helping her out. Her diagnostic skills are exceptional, and all she uses is common sense, and herbs to treat her patients. In the story, she is opposed to a doctor – charlatan Dr. Buzzard, and this juxtaposition raises an essential issue of alternative medicine versus traditional one.

Love is naturally the main theme in this novel. However, the author does not tell separate love stories, but rather unfolds her central characters through their daily routines. Therefore, there is a feeling that all the love stories are told at the same time. The most vivid example is the relationship of Ophelia and George. They live in New York and come every August to the island for a visit. Their love story is told from the very beginning; we see them meet, fall in love, get married and fight obstacles on their way together. During their first mutual visit of the island, Ophelia is being poisoned with nightshade and George dies suffering through the illness with her and trying to help. His sacrifice together with the healing power of Mama Day saves Ophelia. The illness of Ophelia is so mysterious, that nobody can guess what could have caused it. Mama Day knows it is a poisoning, but she feels that there is something else. She is right, of course, as Ruby not only poisoned Ophelia because of her jealousy, but also cast a spell. There is no clarity concerning what cured Ophelia; the author just wants the reader to believe in the miracle of healing.