Summary Of Sexism By Margaret Kalyani

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Kalyani’s character distinctions with other widows. She is one of the youngest widows and forced into prostitution by Madhumati, and it is by her wages that the ashram survives; still she is condemned by other widows because due to prostitution she does not follow the rules other widows have to follow and none in the society objects to it because of Kalyanis use. Here kalyani is objectified and considers as “Bad girl”.Because she doesnot follow the Traditional Gender role of awidow. Sexism and pornography is depicted through the character of kalyani patriarchal society’s hypocrisy and double standards are portrayed here as they don’t allow remarriage of widows but can sleep with them without marrying. As it is justified by a Brahmin in the novel in these words: "Our holy texts states Brahmins can sleep with whomever they want and the women they sleep with are blessed." Kalyani falls in love with Narayan who is a young man of her age. But what comes in between them is patriarchal society. She asks him not to talk to her as it is a sin to talk to a widow. This loves soon halts her out of this cage. She begins to refuse to accommodate her clients and dreams for her remarriage. Kalyani’s character is knotted between two thoughts, one is the society and other her own. She listens to everybody, but does what her integrity tells her to. She is ripe, innocent and after being friends with Chuiya, she feels her childhood has returned again. Helpless and frustrating Kalyani had learnt to live with her misfortune until she met Narayan. But it is not long after she partied in her love that her problem is folded. The name of Narayan's father, Seth Dwarkanath, imposes harmful injuries on Kalyani's life. Disturbed Narayan disappointed by the wrongs of his respectful father now meets him for his crimes. His disgusting reply was: "I'm sorry you …show more content…
In a train of restless thoughts, Shakuntala rushes into Madhumati's room snatches the keys from her and set Kalyani free to marry Narayan. This resolute courage and fight for existence is the specialty of Sidhwa's protagonists. At Kalyani's immolation, while offering final prayers she surprises at the short span of Kalyani's life alleviated with discrimination and cruel fate. Integrity and faith clashed in her soul. Sadananda's remark upon Mahatama Gandhi that he is among few men who listen to their conscience, she finally gives vent to her mystifying …show more content…
After Kalyani, cruel Madhumati forced Chuhiya into prostitution to maintain a sound income. Violent as a lioness, Shakuntala with battered Chuhiya in her lap and in an inner mayhem joins a mob that takes her to railway station to meet Gandhiji. Sadananda had once asked whether she was any close to self liberation, she had confessed: "If self liberation means disinterestedness from worldly desires then no, I'm no closer to it." (95)

But when Gandhi delivers an exciting speech, Shakuntala finally recognizes her goal. She had been in a search of Truth and now she knows that "Truth is God". She finally works for her deliverance.

Thus, Shakuntala hands the little girl to Narayan on the leaving train so that cheerful Chuhiya's life was saved from deteriorating into the rigid life of widows specifically that of Kalyani's. Once again life and hope is affirmed in the novel as Shakuntala feels herself from the restrictions of fallacies and reinstates life to a worthy

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