GENDER IDEOLOGY: A PATRIARCHAL VIEW OF ETAF RUM'S A WOMAN IS NO MAN

Abstract

This study examines Etaf Rum’s A Woman is No Man with special reference to use the concept of patriarchy given by Slya walby in her book Theorizing Patriarchy. Researcher unfolds the concept in third-world countries women are undergoing suffering and pain at the hands of the patriarchal system. Present study claims that female characters that appeared in Rum's novel are dehumanized, humiliated and victimized by the institutes of society. The researcher uses patriarchy as a methodological lens. Walby argues, in society, patriarchy works on two levels private patriarchy and public patriarchy. Private patriarchy deals on home level. It means that woman is only restricted to home sphere. In private patriarchy we come to know woman is not only restrained in home sphere rather she limited herself outside home also. This researcher examines those characters in A Woman is No Man where they are not free to act. Especially female characters are under the influence of patriarchy. They are treated as a producer of children and cook food for men even not allowed to go out of the home.  In addition, they are not allowed to get education. In public sphere, they do not have equal chance than those of man. The fundamental concern of this study is to analyze the sufferings, hardships and struggle for freedom, independence and emancipation of women in contemporary times. Feminism and patriarchy deal with similar matters. In this vein, the present study finds out that patriarchy contends women are suffering from double folds. The study highlights the condition of women living in contemporary world.