Representation of Female Agency in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’sThePalaceofIllusion
Date
2018-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Art in English
Abstract
This research examines the representation of female agency in Chitra
Banerjee Devakaruni’sThePalaceofIllusion. It demonstrates the problems and issue
of mythological time of Mahabharata, a great Hindu epic, which is even related
today. This paper tries to find out the crucial role of Draupadi in The Palace of
Illusion as a female agency. It also connects the issue of identity and gender role in
order to establish the female as a role model neglecting orthodox ideas as a second
sex. Divakaruni recounts the epic fromDraupadi’s point of view, claiming female
agency in war between two families. Likewise, it highlights the issue of motherhood
and conflict depicting Draupadri’s struggle for identity in mythological context. In
the novel, Draupadi has been presented as headstrong and female role model who
provokes her husband to take revenge with Kauravas. Therefore, she is presented as
revolutionary character that breaks down the traditional gender role but her
contributions are neglected in Mahabharata. This paper critically
analyzesDivakaruni’sThe Palace of Illusion from Third world feminist interpretation
which raises the issues of nonwestern women. Especially,ChandraTalpademonhanty
and Uma Narayan’s perspectives on feminism have been used as a theoretical
insights to support the hypothesis.In Mahabharata, Draupadri, has been presented as
submissive, passive and inactive character. Contrary to it, in The Palace of Illusion
Divakaruni shows Draupadi as role model as well as courageous who is able to
establish her identity in the patriarchal domain
Description
Keywords
Female Agency, Revenge, Domination