Literature as a Catalyst for Social Reforms: With Reference to Rama Mehta’s “Inside the Haveli”

Description

Page: 25-28

Pratima Chavan (Department of English, Dr. D.Y. Patil Arts, Commerce & Science College, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra)

This study examines the contribution of Rama Mehta’s novel Inside the Haveli in highlighting gender inequality within traditional Indian families. The primary variable in this study is gender oppression, analyzed through the lens of literary influence and its impact on societal perspectives. The novel exposes the restrictive and patriarchal customs that confine women within the rigid structures of wealthy, isolated households, particularly the haveli. Through its portrayal of a woman’s struggle for identity and autonomy, Inside the Haveli serves as a literary catalyst for social change by prompting discussions on gender roles and the necessity for reform. By demonstrating literature’s power to question and subvert oppressive traditions, this research underscores the novel’s role in fostering awareness and transformation in Indian society. Inside the Haveli serves as a powerful literary catalyst for women’s empowerment by highlighting patriarchal constraints and sparking discourse on gender equality and class system