Resistance through Female Bonding in J.K.Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy

Abstract

This research presents how female bonding appears to be a means of resistance in J.K. Rowling's novel The Casual Vacancy. Female bonding is a theoretical concept developed by critics like Nancy Chodorow, Chris Beardsly, Judith Butler, and Alberto Godenzi. Female bonding is common resemblance of females to share sympathy and empathy with each other to resist patriarchy. In The Casual Vacancy, the first person narrator Patrica narrates several difficulties of her life. Patrica comes from a decent family of moderate income who is forced to work as a governess at the house of elites. Her husband constantly finds fault in her and criticizes her infertility. He is callous and insensitive towards his wife. This provides an excuse for her husband to cheat on Patrica, to divorce her, and to remarry with Anna. Patrica lives with her university friend, Sukhvindar, after she broke up with her husband. Sukhvindar stands in the difficulties of Patrica as a strong pillar. All female characters in the novel are victim of patriarchal ideology; either they are poor or rich. However, Sukhvindar helps Patrica and Patrica helps her mother in her difficulties. Females have bonding to resist patriarchal ideology.