Construction of Gender in Desai's Fasting, Feasting

Abstract

Women have been relegated to an inferior position for centuries. The constructivist conception of gender, denying two basic types of human being, male and female, claims the certain traits, behaviour and occupations are appropriate for each type: masculine and feminine. Patriarchal ideology has helped to establish male supremacy in the society to such an extent that males have been exploiting females physically and mentally. Women's overall progression has got stifled because of social mores and customs in such a gendered society.