Neo-Colonial Subordination of Women in India in Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish

Abstract

This thesis explores the issue of transformation of Shashi from a meek, doubtful, housewife to a woman who is confident and good at what she does. Satish, her husband and teen daughter Sapana mock her for her inability to speak in English. Furthermore, during her visit to America for her niece's marriage ceremony she gets a culture shock. And her distant relationship with her own family makes her more determined to learn conversational English. The film depicts Shashi's struggle to be a perfect home maker and help herself learning English. All with the help of her niece Radha, friends and teacher from English learning course, she gains back her confidence and acknowledges herself with respect. She learns that to be able to be loved by others in the first place, she herself has to love and respect herself. She makes her husband and daughter realize about her capabilities and what she can do and what extent she can go to gain back her respect and love she deserves. Ultimately Shashi becomes capable of loving her own language and have confidence intact as well and she raises above subordination and neo-colonialism.