CONCEPT OF HEGEMONY IN CONTEMPORARY INDIAN ENGLISH FICTION

Dr. Divya Bala Pathak

Hegemony, Indian Fiction in English, Male Ego, Patriarchal Violence, The New Woman, Subjugation.

This research paper explores the pervasive manifestation of male hegemony within Indian fiction in English, examining how literary narratives mirror the systematic subjugation of women across physical, emotional, and socio-economic strata. Drawing upon the Gramscian framework, hegemony is defined as a preponderant influence exercised through society's superstructure, establishing a paradigm where the male figure serves as the "commander" and the female is relegated to the status of a "feeble sufferer". Through a critical analysis of seminal works by authors such as Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Shashi Deshpande, and R.K. Narayan, this study illustrates how male dominance persists regardless of a woman's education or financial independence. The paper identifies recurring motifs of patriarchal violence, ranging from the drugged violation of bodily autonomy in Sea of Poppies to the institutionalized objectification by law enforcement in The God of Small Things. Furthermore, it investigates the fragility of the "male ego," particularly when confronted with female professional success, leading to domestic discord and sexual sadism as seen in The Dark Holds No Terror. By analyzing the spatial and social restrictions imposed on female characters--vividly depicted in the works of Deepa Anappara and Rita Garg--the research highlights a cultural "fixed formula" that demands women remain subordinate to maintain social harmony. Ultimately, the study concludes by advocating for a transformative shift in contemporary literature: the move away from the "epitome of sacrifice" toward the portrayal of the "New Woman"--a revolutionary, intellectually formidable figure who reclaims her existence from the "mild yoke" of traditional hegemony.

Volume 14 Issue 3, March-2026

Pages : b787-b790