Rethinking Femininity: Tagore’s Chitra and Divakaruni’s Draupadi as Paradoxical Portrait of Traditional Submissiveness

Abstract

This Paper delves into the nuanced exploration of femininity as portrayed in two distinct literary works: Rabindranath Tagore's Chitra and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's The Palace of Illusions. The paper critically examines the paradoxical nature of feminine roles depicted in these narratives, challenging conventional expectations and stereotypes. Tagore's Chitra and Divakaruni's Draupadi are analyzed as representations that subvert traditional notions of submissiveness, offering a multifaceted perspective on the complex nature of women's roles in society. The paper aims to provide insights into the authors' innovative approaches to rethinking femininity, inviting readers to reconsider preconceived ideas and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse facets within the discourse of gender and identity.