Bravely Fought the Queen by Mahesh Dattani
(Issues of gender discrimination)
Q. Interrogate the issues of gender discrimination in Mahesh Dattani’s Bravely Fought the Queen.
Answer: Mahesh Dattani’s play "Bravely Fought the Queen" deals with the theme of gender discrimination and the patriarchal attitudes prevalent in Indian society. The play is set in the present-day and revolves around the life of a young woman named Jaya who struggles to assert her independence and identity in a society that is deeply patriarchal.
One of the main issues of gender discrimination in the play is the concept of "honour" and how it is used to control women's lives. Jaya's family is concerned with maintaining their "honour" in the community, and they use this as an excuse to justify their oppressive behavior towards her. For instance, they force her to marry a man she does not love in order to preserve their family's reputation.
Another issue of gender discrimination is the expectation that women should conform to traditional gender roles. Jaya's father insists that she should stay at home and take care of the household, and he does not support her desire to pursue a career. Jaya's mother, too, is complicit in perpetuating gender roles as she reinforces the notion that a woman's main role is to be a wife and a mother.
Furthermore, the play also interrogates the issue of sexual harassment and assault. Jaya's husband, Sanjay, is depicted as a controlling and abusive husband who does not respect her boundaries. He physically and emotionally abuses Jaya, and he does not allow her to leave the house or interact with other people freely. Sanjay's behavior is an example of how men use their power to dominate and control women.
Another aspect of gender discrimination that is portrayed in the play is the societal expectations placed on women's appearance and behavior. Jaya's mother pressures her to conform to traditional beauty standards and to dress conservatively, while also placing a significant emphasis on marriage and finding a suitable husband. This emphasis on external appearance and marriage as the ultimate goal for women reinforces the idea that women's value lies primarily in their physical appearance and their ability to fulfill traditional gender roles.
Moreover, the play also highlights the societal taboo surrounding same-sex relationships and the discrimination that the women community faces in India. Jaya's friend Karuna, who is in a same-sex relationship, is ostracized by her family and society, and she is subjected to emotional and physical abuse. The play challenges the societal stigma surrounding same-sex relationships and encourages us to question the discrimination and prejudice that the women community faces.
The play also explores the intersectionality of gender discrimination with other forms of discrimination, such as caste and class. Jaya's family belongs to a higher caste and has certain privileges and advantages over lower caste individuals. This is shown in the play when Jaya's mother dismisses her domestic worker's complaints of sexual harassment and treats her with contempt and disrespect.
In conclusion, "Bravely Fought the Queen" is a powerful critique of the systemic gender discrimination that pervades Indian society. It illustrates how women are denied agency, autonomy, and freedom in their personal and professional lives due to patriarchal attitudes and practices. By shedding light on these issues, the play urges us to challenge and transform the discriminatory social norms and practices that perpetuate gender inequality.
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