The Female Protagonists in Select Novels of Shobhaa De A Study in Subaltern Feminism

Abstract

Shobhaa De s novels clearly expose her attempts to ruin the dominant patriarchal values in the Indian society. In this male dominated society, women from their childhood are made to learn how to compromise and adjust with secondary status. Adolescent stage makes them think that their desires will be fulfilled in their marriages for they look at marriage as a solution to their setbacks. But in reality , marriage ruins all their dreams and they suffer miserably in their marital lives. And this confusing situation compels them sometimes to take such step, which is a major divergence from the established traditional norms. Within the framework of her novels, Shobhaa De portrays the breaking up the institution of marriage. The new concept of marriage envisions complete sexual freedom with no concept of loyality. She firmly believes that a woman has been gifted just one life which she must live to the lees. Her view about marriage is very balanced in the sense that she writes of men who fail to understand the psyche of women, more so her emotional needs resulting in marital rift. newlineShe portrays a variety of women from the extremely modern and liberated to the traditional, subjugated and marginalized as well. This variety of women portrayed in her novels brings out different ways in which these women are subjected to male hegemony. An interesting character of Shobhaa De s portrayal of these women is the presence o subgroups of women, within the main group, that may be highly liberated, oppressive and dominating. They include the modern and traditional Indian middle-class women. De has very cleverly projected the glamorous images of the attractive, independent and highly professional women trying to dominate the power structure. But the external glory of life these women seem to enjoy is marked by frustration and disgust. newline newline