The Quest for Empowerment in Sunetra Gupta’s a Sin of Colour: A Study on Gender Studies

Abstract

Feminism is a movement mainly concerned with gender equality, the belief in social, economic and political equality between both men and women. Feminism voices out against the misogynistic perception in the society.Feminism is a movement mainly concerned with gender equality, the belief in social, economic and political equality between both men and women. Feminism voices out against the misogynistic perception in the society. The history of feminism in India can be divided into three phases: the first phase, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, initiated when male European colonists began to speak out against the social evils of Sati. The second phase, from 1915 to Indian independence, when Gandhi incorporated women’s movements into the Quit India movement, and independent women’s organizations began to emerge. Finally, the third phase, post-independence, which has focused on fair treatment of women in the workforce and right to political parity.  Traditionally, right from the ancient days, India was a male-dominated culture. Indian women were covered with many thick, slack layers of prejudice, convention, ignorance and reticence in literature as well as in life. They were inanimate objects, who followed five paces behind their men, they had to be gentle, patient, gracious, and for generations together. Bengali women were hidden behind the barred windows of half dark rooms, spending centuries in washing clothes, kneading dough and murmuring verses from “The Bhagavad-Gita and The Ramayana” in the dim light of sooty lamps.