Celebration of Female’s Individuality in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love
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Department of English
Abstract
This research unveils the position of women in patriarchal society and their effort to overthrow the biased attitude of male. Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love denounces the prevalent patriarchal societal culture and trends where women are treated as a mere sexual object through the socialization of sexual politics. The research aims at excavating the reality of patriarchal ideology which considers motherhood as the natural evolution of women’s life. It reveals the pathetic condition of the main protagonist, Liz Gilbert and other characters such as: Tulsi, Wayan and Tutti. They have not got the role of agent in the society but treated as if they are dolls. Their identity is hanged on the clutch of patriarchy. As a result, directly or indirectly they are engaged in the pursuit of individual freedom which unites them in common sisterhood that is beyond the race, class, and religion. Despite her successful career and good economic background, Liz Gilbert feels identity crisis in family life. Her escape from the prison house of a bad marriage, and her subsequent attempts to achieve independence clarifies that patriarchal norms and values remain also in good economic class. So, it focuses on dismantling and reordering of the patriarchal society as a way to liberate women.