Resistance against Double Colonization in Nayantara Sahgal’sMistaken Identity
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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.