scholarly journals Mahesh Dattani’s Dance Like a Man: A Depiction of the Trials and Tribulations of an Androgynous Personality

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chhavi ◽  
◽  
Rajiv Bhushan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Indian Family ◽  
Cultural Domain ◽  
Conventional Practice ◽  
Indian Theatre

Abstract Mahesh Dattani is one of the leading Indian dramatists who responded to the problems of sexuality on the canvass of Indian theatre. He examined various facets of subjugation and marginalization rampant in Indian society. His plays focus on the sub-urban Hindu family and its trifle with gender and alternate sexuality. His plots revolve around the damaging implications of patriarchal constructs and his characters strive for liberty and self-satisfaction beneath hegemonic masculinity, compulsive heteronormativity and prejudiced cultural domain. Regarding his famous play Dance Like a Man, this paper critically examines the existing socio-cultural domain which practices politics of exclusion of androgynous identities behind the façade of peacefully cohabiting heterosexual Indian family and shows how Dattani, has remarkably countered the presentation of the polarized association of gender roles with conventional practice through performance of his protagonist. Set against the backdrop of patriarchal mindset, this paper delineates that the victim of patriarchal norms is not a woman but a man, who has traits of androgyny. It gives a brief account to highlight the significance of androgyny and portrays how androgyny is directly proportional to creativity. It elucidates how androgynous men undergo searing experiences of stigma and social untouchability in a traditional setup and how patriarchal norms reinforce dominant powers of society to stunt the growth of their personality.

scholarly journals A Quest for Identity - A Feminist Approach in Manju Kapur’s Home

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
S. Shobana
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Family Life ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Feminine Identity ◽  
Indian Family ◽  
Female Hero ◽  
Search For Self ◽  
The Feminine

The paper aims to research the search for self-identity and feminism in Manju Kapur's Home. Home is a masterful novel of the acts of kindness, compromise, and secrecy that lies at the center of each family. The novel, narrate of Indian family life spans three generations whose destiny and dreams are pasted to the Banwarilal cloth shop.  Nisha the protagonist has got to struggle for establishing her identity and to survive during this male-dominated world.  In Indian society, women have never been acknowledged as a person outside their              pre-destined roles of a woman, daughter, and mother.  The female hero of Home tries to free herself of ‘dependence syndrome' thrust upon her by the agents of social organization. The paper focuses on the journey of the feminine protagonist, Nisha towards individuality and self-identity and don't wish to be seen as a self-sacrificing rubber-doll. She had to struggle for her existence as, like different heroines of Manju Kapur, she is within the transformation to innovate the search of autonomy and feminine identity.  

The Bhāgavata Speaks of Woman

2020 ◽  
pp. 123-136
Author(s):  
Gopal K. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Gender Studies ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Subaltern Studies ◽  
Gender Discourse ◽  
Positive Light

Indic texts have played a crucial role in constructing, and greatly influencing, gender roles and social norms in Indian society. Scholarship on these texts has identified problems of identity and hegemony that are thoroughly discussed in such fields as subaltern studies, gender studies, cultural studies, and the like. Because of cultural practices such as satῑ‎ and religious laws for widows, Hinduism and some of its associated texts tend to have a reputation for patriarchal misogyny. In her Encyclopedia of Feminism, Lisa Tuttle advises scholars to ask “new questions of old texts;” following her lead, this chapter intends to examine the gender discourse contained in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, focusing on the text’s characterization of women as māyā, which we have here defined as God’s deluding or covering potency. The analysis should make it plain that while the Bhāgavata does support patriarchal institutions and practices, on a deeper level it portrays women in a far more positive light, holding them in a more esteemed position than one may assume.

scholarly journals The Upshot on Princess Merida in Disney/Pixar’s Brave: Why the Tomboy Trajectory Is Off Target

Humanities ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Lauren Dundes
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Gender Role ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Final Phase ◽  
Traditional Gender Role ◽  
Gender And Power

Princess Merida, the “tomboy” princess in Disney/Pixar’s Brave, won praise for escaping the strictures of femininity and maternal demands for feminine propriety. In addition to her overt defiance of gender roles and demand for agency, Merida also enacts hegemonic masculinity by mocking her suitors during an archery contest in which she is the prize. The ridicule is the prelude to her dramatic, winning bullseye that feminizes the men, in a scene rich in symbolism about gender and power. In enacting the final phase of the tomboy paradigm, however, Merida reverses her trajectory as her rebellion against femininity ebbs. She then resolves conflict by displaying vulnerability rather than performing brave deeds. This marked shift to a more traditional gender role raises questions about her stature as a model of autonomy able to withstand the pressure to conform.

Caste without a System. A Study of South Indian Harijans

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 122-146
Author(s):  
Robert Deliège
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Hierarchical Model ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
System A ◽  
South Indian ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Village ◽  
Bear Witness

According to Dumont, caste can be understood as the institutionalisation of hierarchy, and the principle of hierarchy permeates all relations within Indian society. So understood, caste ideology is uniform throughout the society. This point has been contested by several ethnographers, especially those working among untouchables whom they often described as more ‘egalitarian’. This chapter aims to discuss the concepts of hierarchy and equality among the Paraiyar caste in a Tamil Nadu village. It will show that in spite of a basic acceptance of the value of caste, the Paraiyar espouse a strongly egalitarian ethic so far as relations among themselves are concerned; while there are forms of differentiation within the village, these cannot be conceived according to a hierarchical model. There is a general resistance to any form of internal leadership or domination, to which constant disputes, jealousies and accusations of theft bear witness. Gender roles are not as sharply demarcated as is generally expected in the subcontinent and the relations between affines are not conceived hierarchically. Although hierarchy can be taken as an intellectual device to grasp the foundations of Indian society, it cannot account for all the social relations within that society, which require theorisation of a different kind. It is a mistake to think that people are either egalitarian or hierarchical.

scholarly journals Don't Be Gay, Dude! How the Institution of Sport Reinforces Homophobeia

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Lucyk
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
The Media ◽  
Muscular Christianity

Kelsey Lucyk analyzes how the media and the institution of sport have entrenched certain ideals about masculinity meanwhile reinforcing homophobic attitudes towards gender roles in sports. This article focusses primarily on analyzing Canadian sports and makes use of the concept of muscular Christianity to explain hegemonic masculinity as found in the Canadian institution of sport.

scholarly journals Masculinity in Numafung, a Film Directed by Nabin Subba

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-70
Author(s):  
Asmita Bista
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Cultural Dynamics ◽  
Feature Film ◽  
Male Characters ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Asymmetrical Power ◽  
Gender Practices

The prevailing gender practices in the Limbu culture promote asymmetrical power relations not only between males and females but also between dominant males and subordinated males. This practice is portrayed in the feature film Numafung by Nabin Subba. Thus, the paper aims to investigate how the practice of hegemonic masculinity has affected the life of individuals, both males and females in Limbu community in the film. It scrutinizes what sort of problems do the conventional masculine roles bring in the characters’ lives. This paper also intends to assess the reasons that force the males to perform the conventional gender roles. To analyze the text, R.W. Connell’s and Michael Kimmel’s idea of masculinity theory has been used as an approach. These theorists propose that masculinity is a constructed entity that is achieved through constant performance: a series of cues observed, internalized and repeated over time. Illuminating the gender practices in the Limbu culture, Numafung unfolds the cultural dynamics of the Limbu society in the light of hegemonic masculinities. The paper concludes that cultural practices such as ‘sunauli- rupauli,’ ‘mangena’ and ‘jari’ keep their hegemonic masculinity intact. The paper further concludes that the male characters of Numafung embrace hegemonic masculinity because gender is a socio-cultural construction; being part of that society, one hardly can escape from the socially enforced gender roles.

scholarly journals Reflection of Indian Culture in Shashi Deshpande’s A Matter of Time

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 112-122
Author(s):  
Prajesh Jena
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Indian Literature ◽  
Indian Culture ◽  
Indian Women ◽  
Indian Family ◽  
Shashi Deshpande ◽  
Indian Religion

Shashi Deshpande is a well-known name in the field of Indian literature and is a contemporary writer from Karnataka. She portrays in her novel "A Matter of Time" the truth of Indian society in Indian families. The importance of culture for Indian women is also discussed. Her novels are distinguished for their genuine depictions of the Indians and their history. She used Indian names and the role of Indian Middle Class Women in her novel A Matter of Time through the character Sumi. She talks about Indian Women, Indian Culture, Indian Religion, Indian Family, Religions and Beliefs, Family Traditions, and Emotions, among other topics. A Matter of Time is a multi-generational novel that moves around the plight and predicament of Indian women whose lives are deeply rooted in Indian beliefs, superstitions, conventions and traditions. Women have been living and breathing silently for thousands of years under the umbrella of patriarchy and with their "gazing." With the foundation of patriarchy, the disparity between man and woman, in its unwritten form, has developed through language, customs, rituals, myths and practises. Myths, rituals, and customs contribute to the evolution and establishment of human society. They are naturally developed, but are indeed societal buildings and help in developing patriarchal ideologies. They are believed to be natural. They are, therefore, essential to women's subjugation in our society.

Discovering the Changes in Gendering of Products: Case of Woman in ‘Bikerni Community’ in India

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-194
Author(s):  
Varsha Jain ◽  
Kriti Bharadwaj ◽  
Amrita Bansal ◽  
Vivek S Natarajan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Consumption Pattern ◽  
Indian Woman ◽  
Projective Techniques ◽  
Societal Needs ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Depth Interviews

In the Indian society, gender roles have played an important role in shaping the culture. However, due to technological advancements and change in societal needs, there is an evolution in the gender roles. This evolution has created a need to understand the gendered products from a new perspective. Therefore, this paper tries to discover the factors of consumption of gendered products and role of social media in shaping the consumption pattern and motivation of women in biking industry in India. Subsequently, to address the objectives, qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews, netnography and projective techniques are applied and data is analyzed further. With the help of data analysis, it has been found that that Indian woman is motivated by a quest for freedom, independence and empowerment. The families and close-knit communities that they are part of, such as Bikerni Association of India, help them participate in a hyper-masculine product market.

scholarly journals Freeter, Arafo, House Husband: Shifting Values of Hegemonic Masculinity and Emphasized Femininity in Four Japanese Television Dramas

IZUMI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57
Author(s):  
Rouli Esther Pasaribu
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Japanese Society ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Masculinity And Femininity ◽  
Traditional Gender Roles ◽  
Corpus Data ◽  
Dominant Discourses ◽  
Japanese Television ◽  
At Home

This study examines the shifting values of masculinity and femininity in four Japanese television dramas: At Home Dad (2004), Around 40 (2008), Freeter, Buy a House (2010), and Wonderful Single Life (2012). These corpus data are analyzed using Connell’s concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity. The findings of this study focus on the following: 1. Characters in the four television dramas challenge the dominant discourses of masculinity and femininity by living as freeters, house husbands, and arafos. 2. To criticize hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity, these dramas depict the negative aspects of living a rigid lifestyle encompassed by traditional gender roles and feature main characters who show alternative lifestyles of masculinity and femininity. 3. Hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity values shadow the emergence of alternative masculinity and femininity in contemporary Japanese society.  

Boys will be boys: an example of biased and exclusive usage

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-223
Author(s):  
Steven M. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Doctoral Dissertation ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Gender Binary

AbstractBoys will be boys encapsulates most of what is wrong with patriarchy, hegemonic masculinity, gender roles, victimisation of females, and the gender binary, all of which play crucial roles in the continued subjugation and oppression of females in our society. Although most general English dictionaries provide a definition for this expression, this paper will demonstrate how they mischaracterise it, and therefore legitimise the repressive, destructive, and violent manifestations of this cultural mindset. After a brief review of the literature, the paraphrases of meaning that several popular dictionaries provide for this expression will be scrutinised. These will be contrasted with a bias-free and inclusive paraphrase of meaning, to be followed by a discussion and conclusions<fnote> This paper is based on content from my doctoral dissertation, Kaplan (2020).</fnote>.

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