Published Paper Details:

Abstract In Perumal Murugan's Trial by Silence, gender representation is explored through the emotional and psychological aftermath of societal pressures on the protagonists, Kali and Ponna. The novel critiques the rigid patriarchal expectations that define gender roles in a traditional South Indian community. Ponna, after participating in a ritual to conceive a child, faces severe societal judgment despite the act being socially sanctioned. Her character represents the double standards women endure, as they are judged for their fertility, purity, and adherence to societal norms. Ponna's journey towards reclaiming her agency reflects the tension between individual desire and societal control over women's bodies. Kali, on the other hand, is consumed by silence and isolation, struggling with the blow to his masculinity and honor. His emotional withdrawal highlights how patriarchal expectations of control, honor, and virility also affect men, driving him into a state of psychological turmoil. This novel exhibits how masculinity is tied to notions of control and ownership. Through its nuanced portrayal of both male and female suffering under patriarchy, Trial by Silence reveals the deep emotional scars gender expectations leave on individuals in traditional societies.