Gender roles and representation of feminine identity in Ramayana: A Critical Study

Abstract

Abstract

ndu psyche is suffused with the ideals of Ramayana,an attempt is being made to interpret this most popular epic to examine gender,identity,feminist concerns etc which demands a feminization of thought and the enthronement of woman values.The women voice in Ramayana shows concern about men’s behaviour towards women and their position in the family and society.Sita, a legendary female figure in Indian mythology, has been seen as the supreme model of purity, love, peace and compassion, at the same time, shows the supreme embodiment of femininity as much womanhood.The role of Sita can be seen as how a woman have to struggle for her identity and space of honour in Ramayaniera.Women in Ramayana are emancipatory and they attempt to liberate themselves from all arbitrary beliefs. Lizbeth Goodman thinks in ‘Introduction’ in “Literature and Gender”,‘‘Gender refers to ways of seeing and representing people and situations based on sex difference”.The overall objective of the study is to highlight the interaction of gender and identity,particularly in the complex construction of femininity in Ramayana.It also wants to show how patriarchy comes to exercise its sinister control over her position and begin to suppress her identity.