Power Dynamics and Spatial Hierarchies’ in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s ‘The Palace of Illusions’

Abstract

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a prominent Indian-American author recognized for her significant creative accomplishments. Her distinguished oeuvre comprises acclaimed novels including The Palace of Illusions (2008), Mistress of Spices (1997), Oleander Girl (2012), Before We Visit the Goddess (2016), and The Forest of Enchantments (2019). Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s ‘The Palace of Illusions’intricately examines the interplay of spatial hierarchies and power dynamics, underscoring the limitations imposed on women by entrenched patriarchal systems. The novel reimagines the Mahabharata through Draupadi’s perspective, focusing on her quest for identity, autonomy, and agency within a male-dominated world. Spatial hierarchies, represented by palaces and other physical domains, symbolize both her empowerment and confinement, revealing the paradoxical roles assigned to women. Draupadi’s resistance to societal norms—through her pursuit of education, defiance of traditional gender roles, and assertion of voice—establishes her as a feminist icon challenging patriarchal oppression. Her experiences illustrate the psychological and social toll of systemic marginalization, as well as the enduring struggles of women for recognition and autonomy. By interweaving mythological and feminist elements, Divakaruni critiques long-standing structures of power and gender inequality. Divakaruni’s works frequently examine themes of gender and community strife, intricately interlaced with mythological motifs, while also emphasizing the harsh reality encountered by women in Indian society. In her novel, The Palace of Illusions, she highlights the feminine perspective inside a multifaceted society. This study analyzes the complex links and connections among individuals as they traverse their arduous journeys of identity and space. This paper examines how the deprivation of space might foster empowerment in the context of the conflicts between personal identity and the stringent reality dictated by society norms. Divakaruni’s ‘The Palace of Illusions’ symbolizes the spatial hierarchies and power dynamics within the patriarchal society.