The Silence of the Bride: Honour or Horror?

Abstract

One of the prominent feminist writers and thinkers, Simone de Beauvoir transformed into words, the ideology underlying the identity formation of a woman in every patriarchal society. Honour, shame, modesty, decorum, submission and sacrifice are all qualities ingrained into the feminine psyche since childhood. She is crafted and created into an epitome of virtue; an ideal of selflessness, love and compassion, and most importantly upholding the golden virtue of silence. Born with a voice she is conditioned to suppress it into submission and silence.

Patriarchal society runs on the well-oiled wheels of male supremacy and authority, and female inferiority and muteness. The supposed inferiority of women is more of a male dominated cultural manipulation of a woman’s potential than a fact. The theory of gendered subalternity represents the silenced voice of these women who are made victims at the altar of patriarchy in the name of honour and shame.