The Place and Existence of Women in “Ñāḻal Pathu” – An Analytical View

ஞாழல் பத்தில் பெண்ணின் இடமும் இருப்பும் - ஒரு பார்வை

Abstract

The culture and lifestyle of a people are best recorded through the literary works of their nation. These works help us understand both the differences and similarities between various societies. By examining the descriptions of space, gender, and relationships in literature, we can comprehend the social structures and norms that prevailed among different communities. Many literary texts have traditionally placed women in secondary positions, a concern often raised by feminist scholars. Therefore, it becomes essential to reinterpret literary works to understand the true position and existence of women. Upon such reinterpretation, it becomes evident that women have been portrayed not as equals to men but as bearers of traits such as modesty, shyness, fear, and submissiveness — characteristics idealized by patriarchal ideology as symbols of “femininity.”