Gender Bias in Manju Kapur's Home

Abstract

Gender is a distinction of biological physical characteristics typically associated with either males or females of a species. Consequently, gender identity is a person's own sense of identification as male or female that is used to distinguish this psychological association, from physiological and sociological aspects of gender. Traditional gender role puts men as rational, strong, protective, and decisive while women are considered as emotional, weak, nurturing, and submissive. The thesis seeks gender equality between male and females having same status, rights and responsibilities for women and men. It means equal participation of men and women in all fields without discrimination based on sex.The thesis mainly focuses on Third World feminism,a group of feminist theories developed by feminists acquiring their values and participating in feminist politics in so called Third World countries.It postulates that the third world women are treated as slave domestic animals being confined within the four walls of house. The novel Home, by Manju Kapur, is about the partition and gender bias and its impact on people’s behavior and manners as reflected in characters in the novel. Kapur,while bringing the characters in the text, shows their traumatic experiences because of the gender discrimination. The thesis emphasizes prejudiced experience of female characters in Home.The novel focuses on the female characters who are suffering from the patriarchal norms and values. Banwari Lal's family who comes to India in course of partition and starts a traditional business,selling saris that is being sidelined by the new fashion forjeans and stitched salwarkameez,to which BanwariLal's family has to adapt. However, instead of branching out, the sons remain apprenticed to the struggling shop, and the daughters and daughter-in-laws are confined to the family home.