Gender Polemics Essay Example

unable to challenge men due to traditional obligations. Initially, women are depicted as inferior to men in In Custody. However, as the story unfolds, Desai portrays women in a manner that enables them to assert control over men through subtle yet significant means, leading to a role reversal where women dominate men.

In addition, Desai not only emphasizes the strength of the female characters in the novel but also highlights the weakness of the male characters, illustrating the stark difference in power dynamics between them. Desai skillfully presents Deven and Nur, the main male characters in In Custody, as ineffective and insecure individuals who deceive themselves into believing that they are wise and serving a greater purpose. While the female characters have limited appearances in the novel, Desai elevates their importance and portrays them as omnipresent figures.

The characters of Sarla, Safiya, and Imtiaz Begum highlight their influence on males and their desire to challenge the perception of women as feeble and unimportant. Sarla asserts her dominance at home and over Manu, instructing him to "go fetch (his) books" (69), a power that Deven fails to attain as Manu only responds with silence. Similarly, Imtiaz Begum is seen as superior to Deven and Nur, as she uses imperatives to command them.

In the passage, Desai depicts Nur as cowering in fear, curled up on the mattress, while being screamed at by a woman. This portrayal suggests that he is afraid of her. Additionally, the woman orders Deven around, instructing him to fetch water and clean the floor, as if he were her servant. Desai's portrayal of women in In Custody suggests that they are

marginalized and oppressed, as they receive less attention in the novel compared to the male characters. Furthermore, the story primarily revolves around Deven, who represents the colonizers and reinforces their dominance.

Although initially perceived as unimportant, women gradually assert their superiority over men in familiar settings like their homes. Similarly, the colonized gain authority over the colonizers by refusing to work and going on strikes. Thus, Desai symbolizes women as powerful figures and parallels their empowerment with the colonized's struggle for authority against the colonizers.

In In Custody, Desai highlights the contrasting reactions of women towards tradition. Some actively strive to break free from traditional stereotypes, while others passively remain trapped. The characters Imtiaz Begum and Sarla serve as foils to each other, representing these different approaches. Desai compares women to the colonized, illustrating how individuals within the same group can face similar circumstances yet have different perspectives and actions.

Sarla embodies the passive nature of traditional Indian women who are unable to advance due to adherence to societal stereotypes. On the other hand, Begum represents women who continually strive to free themselves from the restrictions of tradition and societal norms. Sarla's unfulfilled dreams led to her surrendering and experiencing a sense of "disappointment" (68), ultimately making her submissive due to the internalization of patriarchal oppression.

In contrast, Imtiaz Begum defies the authority of men and performs tasks that are traditionally reserved for men. She challenges Deven and shares her poems with him to demonstrate her value, even though she lacks formal education. Imtiaz Begum has acquired knowledge independently, symbolized by the use of the word "seized." This implies that learning to read and

write was challenging for her and signifies her determination to deviate from the conventional role of an Indian woman.

However, society frowns upon her actions because they are seen as disrespectful. Similarly, the colonized are split into two groups: those who want to rid themselves of their colonizers, and those who are content with conforming to the traditions imposed on them. The liberation of women from societal norms aligns with the desire of the colonized for an individual and personal identity unrestricted by traditions or norms.