Paper Details

Sexual violence has long haunted the lives of women and continues to be a critical and ever-persistent issue, both personally and socio-politically. This paper aims to explore the theme of sexual violence on women's bodies in two critically acclaimed literary works, Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things and Mahasweta Devi's Breast Givers. Utilizing a comparative analysis, this paper will delve into the poignant manner in which each author portrays the devastating consequences of sexual violence on the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of their female characters. The God of Small Things reveals the tumultuous unravelling of a family dealing with the systemic and cultural barriers that allow for the perpetuation of sexual violence. In contrast, Breast Givers discloses a disconcerting tale of labour exploitation and abuse faced by a poor Indian wet-nurse. Through these two narratives, we attempt to discern the ways sexual violence manifests itself within familial and occupational spaces. By examining the female characters' experiences in both novels, we seek to understand the interconnectedness of their traumas with the inflicted violence. The paper also emphasizes the authors' use of language and unique narrative techniques as tools to express the raw, visceral emotions embedded within their stories. Furthermore, we analyze how societal norms, caste systems, and patriarchal structures contribute to the reinforcement of sexual violence in these narratives. Lastly, the paper aims to shed light on the resilience and strength demonstrated by these characters in the face of adversities arising due to sexual violence. Through the exploration of these themes, we hope to contribute to a broader understanding of sexual violence's impact on the lives of women in literary works and societies at large.

Sexual Violence, women's bodies, exploitation, patriarchy, societal norms.