Female Subjectivity and Discursive Body: A Feminist Reading of Selected Short Stories of Pakistani Women Writers

Abstract

Female subjectivity arises from the Cartesian mind and body dichotomy, categorising women as emotional subjects. When women began writing to assert their identity, they recognised the inadequacy of patriarchal language in expressing their trauma and inner feelings. Feminists also advocated discussing the specific female experiences related to their maternal bodies using fragmented, non-linear and disrupted language. This paper explores how women reclaim their subjectivity by addressing their tormented and exploited bodies. This investigation is rooted in Islamic feminism and examines selected Pakistani women’s short stories to highlight the contributions of women in addressing the realities and problems they face. This paper consists of five core parts. The first part focuses on the socio-political and religious context in the evolution of Islamic feminism. The second part delves into the language of women. The third part explores the theme of the body and how the wounds on the body transform into a new language of resistance and oppression. The fourth part analyses the feminist interpretation of six selected short stories by emerging Pakistani women writers, primarily highlighting their contributions to creating spaces for women. The fifth part offers a multifaceted reading of the texts and short stories through various feminist perspectives. In summary, this paper examines how society and the Islamic religion have discredited women’s bodies and how women have responded through their writing.