Resisting the Stigma of Femininity in Taslima Nasrin's Shodh

Abstract

Taslima Nasrin's Shodh is an effort to depict how the patriarchal social system has become an obstacle in the path of women's progress. This patriarchal society gives negative attributes to femininity and thus stigmatizes it in order to subdue women. Jhumur, a well-educated woman, is forced to be a typical feminine person at first. However, she, who is aware of the strategy of patriarchy to suppress women, uses her body to challenge patriarchy. Jhumur, by giving birth to a child out of extramarital relationship and establishing herself as a teacher, resists the stigma attached to her gender. Even if the suture of stigma never erases completely.