Discursivity of Family Relations: A Foucauldian Reading of Gopal Prasad Rimal’s Masan

Abstract

Gopal Prasad Rimal’s Masan reflects how inequality of privileges appears as normal in an ordinary Nepali family with males at the decisive roles, and females at the periphery. Helen performs herself accordingly with patriarchy because she has internalized the patriarchal ethos. In patriarchy, power creates that the powerless recapitulate. In Nepalese society males are in the position of power. They create certain images of women and of themselves on the basis of binary opposition. They treat female according to their self constructed images and discourse. That discourse works in the society as truth and all the social members believe that it is true, essential and natural. For instance,Helenone of the major figures of the play Masan internalizes the beliefs and value established by patriarchy. She accepts all her images and runs insearch of maternity to geta son. At this moment, her all activities show the internalization of patriarchy in the whole play, because she accepts all the patriarchal values as a kind of truth.