Exploration of Self: A Third-World Feminist Reading in Parajuly's The Gurkha's Daughter

Abstract

This research focuses on the exploration of the self regarding the self-identity of women as depicted in Prajwal Parajuly’s The Gurkha's Daughter. It stresses on women’s struggle for equal rights; and, against the subordination of women themselves. It explores the idea of searching position against traditional society and self by opposing any specific forms of exploitation propagated by male ideology and female submission. At the same time, it highlights on the suffering of the female characters as a result of traditional gender roles which creates dichotomies between the so called masculine and feminine–masculine and feminine are all the traits that are learned, not in born. In order to deal with gender issues, this research adopts Third-World Feminism as the theoretical framework. It especially adopts the notion of Uma Narayan's gender essentialism and culture essentialism. This research emphasizes on shifting tendency of Nepali women going through transformation themselves from the position of victimized object to the disobedient rude women. Thus, this research studies the representation of the changing image of women as depicted in Prajuly’s The Gurkha’s Daughter thereby commenting on the Third-World Women’s experience and exploration of their self.