Githa Hariharan’s works are known for their feminist and social concerns. Along with the other women writers she believes in creating women who suffer on one hand and try to break the traditional setup in order to lead a free life on the other hand. Though she talks about various subjects in her works the major theme of most of her novels is rewriting of myths and stories. The Introductory chapter of the present study had discussed the role of women in Indian society and the impact of marriage on the lives of Indian women. It had also discussed the life and works of Githa Hariharan concentrating on her novel The Thousand Faces of Night. Chapter one titled” The plight of women in The Thousand Faces of Night” focuses on the brief outline
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Through the study of these women characters, Githa Hariharan presents the Indian Tradition and culture and the position of women in the Indian society. This novel discusses the life of Indian women in general in background of tradition. Though these characters are victims, they try to overcome their trials and problems very silently. Sita, protagonist’s mother has revived her capabilities as a violin player. We assume that Devi will also find herself by going back to her roots. Gautam Sharma says that
The Thousand Faces of Night is the story of Devi’s quest for self-image. She failed to define her within the frame work of the male oriented structure, i.e. as a wife in an arranged marriage, or even as a rebellious lover. (64)
Towards the end of the novel we find the protagonist Devi realizing her mistake. She understands that she had been leading her life according to the advices of her grandmother, father and mother. She recalls that she has never taken her own decisions .She says
I have mimed the lessons they taught me, an obedient puppet whose strings they pulled and jerked with their …show more content…
The first type is the traditional woman. Mayamma belongs to this category she believes that her place is with her husband and family. The second type of suffering women is converse to the traditional type. Devi’s quest for self image reveals that she belongs to this bolder type. Devi the protagonist rejects the traditional roles of women and rebel against the patriarchal society. The third type of suffering women is the ‘in between’ type. Devi’s mother Sita belongs to this type. She is neither traditional nor rebellious. Both Sita and Mayamma play a vital role in Devi’s quest to evolve into a woman of her own
Through the study of these women characters, Githa Hariharan presents the Indian Tradition and culture and the position of women in the Indian society. This novel discusses the life of Indian women in general in background of tradition. Though these characters are victims, they try to overcome their trials and problems very silently. Sita, protagonist’s mother has revived her capabilities as a violin player. We assume that Devi will also find herself by going back to her roots. Gautam Sharma says that
The Thousand Faces of Night is the story of Devi’s quest for self-image. She failed to define her within the frame work of the male oriented structure, i.e. as a wife in an arranged marriage, or even as a rebellious lover. (64)
Towards the end of the novel we find the protagonist Devi realizing her mistake. She understands that she had been leading her life according to the advices of her grandmother, father and mother. She recalls that she has never taken her own decisions .She says
I have mimed the lessons they taught me, an obedient puppet whose strings they pulled and jerked with their …show more content…
The first type is the traditional woman. Mayamma belongs to this category she believes that her place is with her husband and family. The second type of suffering women is converse to the traditional type. Devi’s quest for self image reveals that she belongs to this bolder type. Devi the protagonist rejects the traditional roles of women and rebel against the patriarchal society. The third type of suffering women is the ‘in between’ type. Devi’s mother Sita belongs to this type. She is neither traditional nor rebellious. Both Sita and Mayamma play a vital role in Devi’s quest to evolve into a woman of her own