Redefining Femininity: An Analysis of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things and Vikas Bahl’s Queen

Abstract

This research paper offers a comparative analysis of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things (1997) and Vikas Bahl’s film Queen (2013), focusing on the portrayal of Indian womanhood, resistance to patriarchy, and the protagonists’ journeys of self-discovery. Both works center on female characters who challenge societal norms and assert their agency in different socio-cultural contexts. Ammu in The God of Small Things defies traditional caste and gender expectations but faces tragic consequences, while Rani in Queen breaks free from patriarchal constraints, achieving personal empowerment. By applying feminist literary and film theory, this study explores themes of autonomy, modernity, and tradition, examining how these characters navigate the intersection of gender, class, and caste. The paper underscores the evolving representation of women in Indian literature and cinema, highlighting the contrast between personal triumph and social oppression in their respective journeys.