The Conflict Between Tradition and Modernity: A Study of Social Hierarchy in Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen

Abstract

This research paper examines the conflict between tradition and modernity in Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen by Kavita Kane through a feminist perspective. By reinterpreting the Mahabharata, the novel critically engages with themes of caste, gender roles, and social hierarchies in ancient India. This study explores how Kane’s narrative challenges traditional values and highlights the struggles of individuals who defy societal norms.The novel portrays the limitations imposed on women and lower social classes through caste-based discrimination and patriarchal oppression. Using a feminist lens, this research focuses on the protagonist, Uruvi, who navigates the tensions between personal autonomy and societal expectations. Her defiance of traditional norms reflects the larger struggle between convention and progress. The study examines how the novel critiques rigid traditions while advocating for modern perspectives on equality and agency.Furthermore, this analysis considers the broader implications of Kane’s retelling, particularly in its challenge to male-dominated narratives. The novel’s portrayal of caste relations and gender struggles offers a nuanced understanding of how tradition and modernity intersect to shape individual lives. The findings suggest that Karna’s Wife: The Outcast’s Queen contributes to contemporary feminist reinterpretations of mythology, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of these conflicts in society.By revisiting historical and mythological narratives, the study highlights the persistence of traditional hierarchies while advocating for progressive change. Kane’s novel serves as a bridge between past and present, encouraging a critical reflection on the impact of literature on social thought.