Abstract

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The exploration paves the way for unraveling the entanglements involved in the freedom of women. It shows how Virmati, the narrator's mother toiled hard to realize even the very feeling of liberation against all the obnoxious patriarchal conventions of the society. Virmati as the eldest of eleven children, witnesses the harassment of her mother in every aspect of life. Inspired by her grandfather's championing of the cause of education for women, she nurtures the aspiration of breaking patriarchal conventions in the society. Engaged to Indrajit, she becomes an intellectual companion to Prof. Harish Chandra. Her attempts to acquire self affirmation are torn in between love, duty and desire for education. She finds liberation and solace in education rather than an in initiation into womanhood. Realizing that her relationship with the Prof. of English becomes an emotional entanglement she gives up the relationship. Virmati's realization of freedom is juxtaposed with the National struggle for Independence. It is during the circumstances of partition and communal riots Virmati achieves her world of freedom. Contrary to this, Gita Mehta's Raj explores the freedom of woman born in Indian nobility during the pre Independent times. The protagonist Jaya Singh is brought up under tradition but educated on modern lines by her father on par with her brother. Understanding defiant nature of her father in paying submissiveness to British, she develops a strong individuality of her own. Jai singh with the fear of losing his son trains Jaya as a ruler. Jaya Singh learns the maneuverability in ruling and the principles of Rajanit from Sati Mata, Lord Modi and James Osborne. At the same time, she disallows Arun Roy and James Osborne to exploit her. But indulges in intrigues with Arun Roy and gets labeled as a traitor. Fearing the future of her kingdom, She accounts herself with all the dignity and deconstructs the patriarchal authority.