Heroines and subalterns? the representation of women in Raja Rao's Kanthapura

Abstract

The paper examines the representation of women in Raja Rao's Kanthapura, especially within the socio-political realms. This will be done in relation to Mahatma Gandhi's principle of Satyagraha. The paper surveys the role played by women in the Indian fight for independence against the British rule and attempts to establish whether their role is a heroic/ dominant or subaltern one. Are they heroines or victims of their own society, i.e. are they being used to sacrifice their 'physical and emotional needs' for the victory of men? Who gets the medal in the end.