Victimization of Women in R. K. Narayan’s The Dark Room

Abstract

R. K. Narayan's The Dark Room, as a fictional work based on Indian society, depicts the pathetic condition of women in male dominated society where patriarchal values and norms determine the female’s fate. Although the role of women varies in the novel, all women are subjugated due to the traditional conventions related with religious views. Savitri, the female protagonist, represents the problem of marginalizing by the image of suffering that females undergo in their society is portrayed in the novel. Central female character, Savitri's traditional view regarding religion and husband, and Ramani, a male character's view of modernity and patriarchal stance generate tension in the novel. It is because of patriarchal values and norms that are male constituted and relegate women to be inferior, other sex, vulnerable and complementary to men. Gradually, some sense of consciousness about their existence is borne in female and they attempt to violate harsh and rude aspects of patriarchal tradition. The oppression by the males becomes the cause of protest, and females seek equality, justice and other opportunity as men. Having the sense of existence, they want to survive rather than die even though their life is full of misery. Hence, these females emphasize to maintain existence ignoring deplorable condition. Although females leave the house for their emancipation from the oppression and search for identity, they cannot achieve it. So, they return back to their house without any settlement and improvement in their pitiable condition. They have to compromise with existing society and again become victims in the hands of males.