Kanthapura with Feministic Perspective

• Presented by Komal Shahedadpuri• Smt.S.B Gardi Department of English MKBU• Presentation Topic-Feministic Perspective in Kanthapura• Paper no-4 Indian writing in English Pre-Independence• M.A- Sem-1• Roll no-21• Batch -2016-2018• Email Id – komaltata1311@gmail.com• Enrolment No- 2069108420170027

Kanthapura• Kanthapura is a novel written by Raja Rao ,published

in 1938.• This is the story of how Mahatma Ganghi’s struggle

for Independence from the British came to a typical Village , Kanthapura in South India.It reflects the Indian Myths,religion,social customs and the Independence movement.

• Achakka is a old woman and narrator of the novel.• The whole novel is narrated by the point of view of

woman character.

Feminism as a term• 1) Simone De Beauvoir (1908) • “The second sex”(1949)• 2) Helene Cixous (1938)• 3) Elaine Showalter (1941)• 4) Virginia Woolf • “ A room of one’s own” (1929)• Feminism is the theory of the Political, Economical and Social equality of the sexes and organised activity on behalf of Women’s rights and interest.

Feminism

Feminism in Kanthapura• Woman characters in Kanthapura• Achakka• Rangamma• Kenchamma• Kamalamma• Ratna• Venkamma• Narsamma• Rachana

Study of women characters• Achakka is open minded Brahmin woman narrator who responded to the call of the Mahatma ,conveyed thought of Moorthy. She has radical nature to change India.• Rangamma, she is revolutionary character, educated

widow woman, source of Inspiration for other woman and man also. She organised “Sevika Sangh” and publishedweekly pamphlet and discussed about nationalist movement. Symbol of Courage for other women.

Continue…• Kenchamma is a Godesses of Kanthapura , a

Folklore, she humanies villagers, mother of Himavathy. Hindu Mythodology especially female idols symbolizing the “Mother”. Villagers pray Kenchamma in problems.

• Venkamma, sister-in-law of Rangamma. She is petty and

jealous woman by nature, she is jealous of Rangamma ,

Moorthy ,Ratna and also Ganghian movement. “ No wonder that waterfall Venkamma roared day and night

against Rangamma”

Continue…

• Narsamma is mother of Moorthy and most pathetic character in the novel.

• Ratna is a widow daughter of Kamalamma modern in thinking as well as in behaviour

and also educated woman.• Kamalamma is Rangamma’s thirty years old

traditionalist sister.• Rachana is a Pariah’s girl and her family

thrown out of village.

Anti- feministic Text or not• As the protagonist is Moorthy male

character ,why not female as a protagonist?• But if we see female character as a strength text

is not anti feminist.• Feminist issues are that the women were molest

and Lathi charge on women.• “The British rule in India gave Dalits and Women

an opportunity to display their anger and power which in a subtle ways foretells that they are capable of fighting any type of opperession .”