Resistance against Double Colonization in Nayantara Sahgal’sMistaken Identity

Abstract

InMistaken Identity,Nayantara Sahgal presents thegeneral predicamentsof women under colonial patriarchy through theinstances of Indian women. Since thecolonized women suffer double colonization--political colonization and gender colonization, the patriarchal social normsthat undermine women arerepresentedas the main causesof women’s marginality. Unless these dominating and gender-unequal norms of traditional societies are changed, women will not get equal position and opportunities in their own societies. Likewise theimperialculture that dominates thatboth men and women of colonized nations and disregards their rights forfreedom is subverted by means ofsolidarity of local men and women. For this solidarity to take place, local men should respect women’s freedom-rights and provide equal opportunity tothem, welcoming all sorts of positive changes in the dominating conservative and traditional patriarchal norms. Sahgal implies that through the empowerment of both men and women only, imperial domination can be resisted and before that, women should realize their potential and empower themselves to resist the dominations that marginalize their identity.