The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity in Namita Gokhale’s Paro: Dreams of Passion


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Authors

  • D. Gobi Ph.D. Research Scholar (Full-Time) PG & Research Department of English Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2403-7333
  • V. Suganthi Associate Professor PG & Research Department of English Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53032/tcl.2024.9.6.01

Keywords:

Tradition, Modernity, Women’s cultural transition, Gender Roles, Patriarchy, Urban and Rural Dichotomy, Social Commentary

Abstract

Namita Gokhale’s Paro: Dreams of Passion deftly explores the complex interplay between tradition and modernity in the lives of urban Indian women. Paro, the protagonist, is a bold, unconventional woman who defies societal norms and traditional expectations setting against the backdrop of postcolonial India. Paro embodies a fearless modernity, challenging prescribed gender roles and embracing her individuality. She is unapologetically sensual and pursues her desires without the guilt or restraint typically associated with Indian femininity. In stark contrast, her friend and narrator, Priya, represents the more conventional side of Indian womanhood, constrained by societal expectations and moral conventions. Priya is both fascinated and repelled by Paro’s independence, making her a reflection of the broader cultural ambivalence toward modernity. Through this dichotomy, Namita Gokhale captures the shifting dynamics of female identity and agency in urban India. Paro’s rebellious nature often lands her in conflict with traditional norms, highlighting the limitations imposed on women, even in the ostensibly modern settings of elite Indian society. The novel juxtaposes the public and private lives of its characters, shedding light on the hypocrisy within the upper levels of society. While outwardly progressive, many characters remain bound by deeply entrenched patriarchal values. Namita Gokhale uses humour, satire, and irony to analyse the double standards and the selective embrace of modernity that privileges men over women. Paro’s tragic end serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by women who refuse to conform to societal expectations, underscoring the inherent conflict between individual freedom and collective cultural norms. Paro: Dreams of Passion is a nuanced examination of the intersection of tradition and modernity, where women’s liberation is fraught with contradictions and resistance. Namita Gokhale’s work not only captures the spirit of an era in transition but also raises enduring questions about the nature of female autonomy in a society struggling to reconcile its historical values with the forces of change. Through Paro’s defiance and Priya’s introspection, Namita Gokhale’s narrative unveils the complexities of identity, desire, and empowerment for the modern Indian woman, making it a profound exploration of gender, culture, and modernity.

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Author Biographies

D. Gobi, Ph.D. Research Scholar (Full-Time) PG & Research Department of English Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College

D. Gobi is a full time Ph.D. Research Scholar at PG & Research Department of English, Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.  He has published 3 articles in international peer reviewed journals. His field of interest is Indian Writing in English.

V. Suganthi, Associate Professor PG & Research Department of English Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Dr. V. Suganthi is working as an Associate Professor at Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College, Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. She has a vast teaching experience of 30 years. She has guided and is guiding Ph.D. research scholars in their doctoral degrees. She has also adjudicated many Ph.D. theses and served as an examiner for the viva-voce examinations. She has published four books. She has contributed chapters to 19 books and 40 of her articles have been published in reputed journals. Dr. V. Suganthi is in the editorial board of journals. Her fields of interests are Indian Writing in English, African American Literature, Fourth World Literature, Women’s Writing, and British Literature among others.

References

Bhagdikar, Vandana. Fiction of Namita Gokhale: A Critical Study. Prestige Books International, 2015.

Beauvoir, Simone de. The Second Sex. Tr. Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier, Vintage Books, 2011.https://uberty.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/09/1949_simone-de-beauvoir-the-second-sex.pdf

Chandra, Subhash. Female Subjectivity and Female Empowerment in the Fiction of Namita Gokhale. The Literary Voice, 1996.

Gokhale, Namita. Paro: Dreams of Passion. Penguin Books, 2014.

Roychoudhary, Mausumi. “Marriage: Freedom or Subjugation: A Case Study of Paro’s Dreams by Namita Gokhale”. Smart Moves Journal IJELLH, 2020. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.24113/ijellh.v8i5.10589)

Sasikala, A. Emancipation of New Women in Namita Gokhale’s Paro: Dreams of Passion. Shanlax International Journal of English, 2020. (https://doi.org/10.34293/english.v8i3.3195)

Zagade, Sanjay Haribhau. Identity Issues in Namita Gokhale’s Paro: Dreams of Passion. LangLit: An International Peer-Reviewed Open Access Journal, 2021. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374807992)

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Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

D. Gobi, and V. Suganthi. “The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity in Namita Gokhale’s Paro: Dreams of Passion”. The Creative Launcher, vol. 9, no. 6, Dec. 2024, pp. 1-11, doi:10.53032/tcl.2024.9.6.01.

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Research Articles

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