Breaking The Patriarchal Mould: A Feminist Analysis Of Anuradha Roy’s All The Lives We Never Lived (2018)

Abstract

This paper examines the ways in which Roy’s novel challenges traditional gender roles and explores feminist themes of resistance and subversion. Drawing on feminist theorists such as bell hooks and Judith Butler, as well as historical figures like Amrita Sher-Gil and Begum Rokeya, we analyze the novel’s engagement with larger debates in feminist and postcolonial studies. Employing a qualitative research methodology, we examine the novel’s literary devices, such as intertextuality, symbolism, and narrative structure, to convey its thematic concerns. Through this analysis, we identify the ways in which colonialism and patriarchy intersect to reinforce power imbalances and highlight the potential of literature to critique and transform societal norms. The paper also examines how Roy uses language, narrative structure, and symbolism to convey feminist messages about power and agency. Ultimately, this paper argues that All the Lives We Never Lived (2018) is a powerful feminist text that offers a nuanced and complex portrayal of women’s lives in India and invites readers to consider the ways in which gender shapes our experiences and identities. Our findings suggest that All the Lives We Never Lived (2018) serves as a means to examine the complex intersections of gender and colonialism and to explore the possibilities of resistance and solidarity in the face of oppression. Ultimately, this research paper demonstrates the novel’s relevance to contemporary issues surrounding gender, race, class, and power and its potential to spark critical engagement and dialogue.