FROM TURMOIL TO TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION IN 'A TRAIN TO PAKISTAN' AND 'A SUITABLE BOY’

The partition of India in 1947, resulting in the creation of India and Pakistan, was an epochal event marked by widespread violence, displacement, and communal strife. This violent period is often considered one of the darkest chapters in South Asian history, and its impact was particularly harsh on women. This research paper titled "From Turmoil to Transition: A Comparative Analysis of Women's Representation in 'A Train to Pakistan' and 'A Suitable Boy'" aims to delve into the nuanced portrayals of women in the post-partition Indian context, as it is depicted in two seminal novels. It is Focusing on Khushwant Singh's 'A Train to Pakistan' and Vikram Seth's 'A Suitable Boy.’  The study seeks to unravel the evolution of women's roles, aspirations, marginalisation of women and societal expectations towards women during the tumultuous period of partition and its aftermath. 'A Train to Pakistan' provides a lens into the chaos and brutality of partition, where women grapple with the immediate challenges of survival, loss, and the redefinition of their roles in a fractured society. In contrast, 'A Suitable Boy' explores the post-partition era, offering a panorama of women navigating societal changes, modern aspirations, and familial expectations in the newly independent India, but the complexities of post-partition India, where societal norms and familial expectations continue to cast a shadow on women's lives. The shift from turmoil to transition does not herald an era of liberation for women; instead, it reveals a more nuanced form of suppression. Women in 'A Suitable Boy' find themselves entangled in the intricacies of tradition, marriage, and societal expectations, showcasing a continuity of suppression in the aftermath of partition. The research aims to unravel the intricacies of how women are depicted in 'A Train to Pakistan' and 'A Suitable Boy,' shedding light on the continuities of suppression across historical junctures. The comparative lens employed will highlight the enduring struggles of women, offering insights into the complexities of their representation within the broader socio-cultural and historical context of India.


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