A Journey From Suppression To Self-Realization In Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s Sister Of My Heart And The Vine Of Desire

Abstract

'It is said that marriage diminishes man, but it annihilates women's life'– Simon de Beauvoir

In The Second Sex, the French Feminist writer Simon de Beauvoir discusses that women hold the second position in the patriarchal society. The second position shows their pathetic situation inside the family. It is not only in a patriarchal society but also in a matriarchal culture. It is not about their inabilities but they are taught to act according to the orders of the men and elder women of their family. This subordination and slavery drag young women into psychological issues. The weak position shows the predicaments of women all over the world. Tolerance, bonding, sacrifice, etc are the major causes of women's problems. All such causes are not naturally established in society. They are implemented cultural norms in which women live for a long time. Women constantly suffer against the cultural system, and the ancient codes of society. Moreover they are mistreated, deserted, abandoned, suppressed, etc even by the same race. The elder women never lose the rope in which the young women (daughters-in-law) are firmly tied. Pressures, restrictions, misunderstandings, misinterpretation, lack of interaction, inattention, disapproval, loveless life, financial dependence, biased mind, etc. force women to feel humiliated and frustrated. Through the hard obstacles, women learn to mould themselves as bold and strong. Education plays a vital role in women's life. The awareness of rights, economic sovereignty, and independent thinking makes women mentally strong.