Unveiling Feminist Narratives in Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's The Householder

Abstract

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's novel, The Householder, explores the intricacies of gender dynamics and societal expectations in post-independence India. The novel engages with themes that resonate deeply with feminist perspectives. It portrays the life of Prem, a young newlywed college teacher, navigating the complexities of tradition and modernity, and his wife Indu, who struggles with the constraints of familial duties and personal aspirations. Jhabvala's narrative faintly critiques traditional gender roles and patriarchal structures found in the Indian society. Through Indu's journey, the novel exposes the tensions between societal expectations and individual freedom, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by women striving for autonomy within traditional marital and familial frameworks. The depiction of Indu's internal conflicts and external pressures reflects broader feminist concerns about women's authority and identity.
    This research paper examines how Jhabvala's The Householder contributes to feminist discourse by illuminating the struggles and triumphs of women negotiating their identities and roles in a society undergoing rapid transformation. By analyzing the novel's themes of autonomy, tradition, and modernity, it seeks to deepen the understanding of the evolving status of women and the complexities of relations in the society.