Abstract:
The role of women and stereotypes associated with women have changed to a
great extent after the emergence of Feminist Movement. This change is vividly captured
in English fictions. English fictions produced twenty years ago would have portrayed
women in such a way that fulfil the expectation of the patriarchal society- passive and
dutiful woman, obedient wife who endures the torture of husband, good mother, asexual
etc. In addition women were made to conform to the rules set up by the society- by male.
After the emergence of Feminism, women started to question their stereotypical roles in
society. As a result of this, women started to break away from all the stereotypes
associated with them and asserted their individuality. Some named this assertion as
rebellion and rebellious women were labelled as “bad woman”. Compared to the western
context, the situation of the so called “bad woman” in Asia was even worse because having
labelled as “bad woman” she was ostracised from the society as she was considered as a
threat to patriarchy. Thus the novel, “God of Small Things” written by an Indian author,
Arundhati Roy portrays the rebellion of women against the male dominated society and
vulnerability of women. Thus this paper explores whether the rebellion of women against
patriarchy is successful.
