Feminism in the period of the v.a. rasaraththinam (based on the novel oru venmanar kiramam kattukkontirukkiratu)

Abstract

Women make an immense contribution directly or indirectly to most of the activities of every society. The social contribution by women and the values of women in the community determine the performance of a community and the path it travels. Despite the variety of texts on the subject, the basis for this study is on the novel Oru veṇmaṇaṟ kirāmam kāttukkoṇṭirukkiṟatu, which is based on a story of the village of Alangeni, by V.A. Rasaraththinam; an award-winning writer. The novel attempts to understand the role of women in society and the values society has placed on women from a feminist perspective. Based on the "feminist perspective", the present study evaluates feminist practices and the feminist views that have arisen through the novel using comparative, sociological, descriptive and evaluative research methods. Oru veṇmaṇaṟ kirāmam kāttukkoṇṭirukkiṟatu has been used as the primary source for this study. Besides the books and articles that had been already published regarding the novel, university research articles, journals and information that appears on websites too would be used as secondary sources. The study attempts to create awareness of women's liberation among the women of the villages by evaluating the feminist perspectives and the liberation motives. If a woman is educated, whole family is considered as an educated family. The author emphasizes that only by providing such a valuable education to women can society succeed in all fields. Women should educate themselves to the highest degree and learn to break down the barriers that come their way. The study found that such a breakthrough would enable women to lead a life with self-respect, freedom and independence.