Author: Leela Gulati
Jasodhara Bagchi/
Editor(s): Leela Gulati / Jasodhara Bagchi
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 275
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761933158
Description
Several books have been written about the position of women in India’s patriarchal society. This collection of twelve narratives, however, focuses not so much on women’s subservient position vis-a-vis men, but on women’s relations with each other. With the authors locating their personal struggles within those of three generations of women in their families, these narratives span a period of over 100 years, and intersect both the private and public domains.
Reflecting on the emotional lines of matriliny within the social structure of patriliny, each narrative in A Space of Her Own is a tale of how the author fought to establish her own personhood and create a sphere of autonomy where she is able to make decisions to nurture herself and those around her. Four themes emerge prominently from these narratives:
The role of renegade predecessors in the family who set out a pattern of independence that paved the way for, or inspired, the author.
The presence of mothers or grandmothers who came forward in situations of stress to exhibit unforeseen strengths; and mothers whose demand for personal space remained unfulfilled, but which became a source of determination for the author.
The stories of obstacles overcome-the biggest of which is being born female in a culture that denigrates, distrusts, and ultimately fears women.
The effects of external social change which, along with internal family dynamics, made the authors who they are today.
It is stories such as these, the editors argue, which when repeated over generations will inspire women to live with dignity and to create and defend lives for themselves, their families, and the women who follow them. Powerful and moving, these narratives will interest students and scholars in the fields of women’s studies and culture studies, while being widely welcomed by feminists, activists and anyone interested in the status of women in India.
Contents
Introduction
CAROLYN M ELLIOTT
The Wind Beneath My Wings
NABANEETA DEV SEN
A Heritage of Heresy within Tradition
VINA MAZUMDAR
A Daughter of Awadh
ZARINA BHATTY
A Struggle for Space
HEMA SUNDARAM
The Tyranny of Tradition
LEELA GULATI
Wings Come to Those who Fly
MAITHREYI KRISHNA RAJ
The Times that are A-Changing
PRITI T DESAI
Uneven Earth and Open Sky
SAROJA KAMAKSHI
Abode of Colour
VIJAYA MEHTA
Striking New Roots
SUSHIL NARULLA
Matriliny within Patriliny
JASODHARA BAGCHI
Three Generations of Women
MARY ROY
Afterword: The Colonised Coloniser
ARLIE HOCHSCHILD
Select Bibliography
About the Editors and Contributors