Existence and Lesbianism in Manju Kapur’s a Married Woman

Abstract

The patriarchal Indian society never ever accepted the homoerotic notions of any manner, even in literature it was an untouchable part. Manju Kapur’s iconoclastic second novel Married Woman challenges and questions, the perspectives about homosexuality and queer literature our society pampers. It showcases how the main protagonist of the novel, Astha an educated, qualified, independent, middle class woman, finds herself in a dilemma in between the old customs followed by her family and the society, and the modern thinking and ideals of the developing society. At first, she seems enjoying her demystifying married life as a dutiful wife. As the time progresses the busy life style of her money minded, unresponsive husband leads her to disillusionment. Astha feels discomfort with the male supermasist, heteronormative notions of the defying Indian society. She chooses pipeelika, a widow as her lesbian partner and finds solace in each other’s arms. This was a protest towards her family and husband who considered her as a unpaid servant. When pipeelika decides to go to USA, Astha decides to follow her heteronormative conjugal family life. Through this novel, Manju Kapur endorses the idea that feminism can be really understood through lesbianism, that outside heteronormative structures, by focusing on the traumatic life lead by bisexual women.