The Link between Gendered Language and Gender Stereotyping: An Analysis of Suchitra Bhattacharya’s Novel, Udo Megh

Abstract

Abstract

Many of us, enlightened and progressive, would surely agree to the proven fact that inequality of sexes does not have a biological basis but originates in the cultural constructions of gender difference. The language of literature, criticism and various disciplines actually has reinforced the patriarchal ideology. Language itself is gendered. Feminists, however, struggle from inside to speak against the structure by being critique about the representation of women in language and discourse. Hence, feminists have always tried to formulate a gender-neutral language, which in terms of language and epistemology are based on female subjectivity, experience and identity. Discarding the self/other dichotomy they should try to develop a perspective that confers selfhood all around. Elaine Showalter (1981) writes: