Theme of Rebellion in Namita Gokhale's Shakuntala: The Play of Memory

Abstract

Namita Gokhale has written her novels from a gynocritical perspective. Throughout the history of mankind, from its Paleolithic civilization, goddess worship was widely prevalent, and families were matriarchal in their structure. But over time civilization was overtaken by patriarchal dominance, and worship of the male deity became the dominant concept. The concept and position of womanhood have changed in the modern context. An attitudinal shift can be seen in the woman who longer shies away from taking the initiative. The novel is a splendid work of art, quite different in tone and subject matter from her earlier novels. Its strength lies in its optimism and in its force to open up new and fresh avenues for discussion of women, their emotions and aspirations.