LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 22:2 February 2022
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Hostile Sexism in Nayantara Sahgal’s Rich Like Us

Dr. N. Gunasekaran and R. Santhi


Courtesy: amazon.com

Abstract

Nayantara Sahgal is a most notable feminist. Her active part for the emancipation of women is revealed through her novels. She has portrayed the real sufferings of women through her female characters. They have been tortured by the patriarchal society. But they never lose their identity. And they fight for their own freedom. Hostile sexism means insulting or degrading women directly. Their feelings are never considered. The novelist is the keen observer of the society even before independence. Because she was born in British India, she knew the sufferings for freedom. That’s why she needs the same equality and freedom for women, because they are refused to have the same freedom as men have in the society. They are treated as secondary beings. Women are always insisted to follow men in various roles. They don’t have rights to question men because men are treated as superior beings. Later sometime, women are given a few rights like education, voting, job opportunities etc. However, women have been treated as sexual objects. In outward they are given all rights. The female characters of this novel have suffered a lot because of the dominative attitude of males. Rose is used by Ram and threw out by his son Dev. Above statement is proved by the women and female kids’ harassments. Many laws are passed to safeguard female children from such cruel acts, like Pocso Act which was enacted in 2012. However, it does not reduce the crimes against females. So, the punishments should become more severe. Then only, crimes may reduce.

Keywords: Rich Like Us, Feminism, Hostile sexism, Patriarchal society, Gender Inequality, Liberation for women.

Introduction

Rich Like Us is a significant novel of Sahgal. The female characters of this novel Mona, Rose and Sonali represent the crucial position of Indian women. They are tormented by the male dominative society. Mona is the traditional housewife of a businessman Ram L. Surya. He handles his business in perfect manner. However, he fails in his happy life with Mona. She feels that herself is responsible for the bad things in her life. She never blames her husband. He has spent his time in search of sensual pleasures. But she felt sorry for her husband and who has been fasting for several reasons prays to God on behalf of her husband. Mona feels happy to convey the birth of their son. Meantime, he has been in London regarding a business. He does not feel that true bliss of becoming a father.

Mona is used by her husband as a home maker to his family and the child. He never worries about her feelings. Ram meets Rose in a chocolate shop in London forty-three years ago. He has fallen in love with her. She too loves him. She did not know about his previous life with Mona. “He was a man. He was rich. He was abroad. What more did she need to know?” (39). Rose fell in love with Ram and came with him to India. After the confirmation of her strong love, he casually reveals his first wife Mona and his newborn son. He never hesitates to speak.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. N. Gunasekaran
Research Guide
Head, PG & Research Dept. of English
ngsekaran1@gmail.com

R. Santhi
Ph.D. Research Scholar
ramasamysanthi523@gmail.com

PG & Research Department of English
Sri Vidya Mandir Arts & Science College
Katteri, Uthangarai, Krishnagiri Dt.
Tamilnadu
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