Negotiating the Construction of Women’s Identity: A Study of Kamala Das's Selective Poetries from Beauvoir's Feminist Perspective
Dipsikha Deb,
Independent Researcher,
Tripura, India.
&
Indrani Bandyopadhyay,
Assistant Professor in English,
Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA),
ICFAI (Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of
India) University,
Tripura, India.
Abstract: Distinguished Indian writer Kamala Das is noted for her
writings that explore what it's like to be an Indian woman. One of the most
prominent themes in kamala Das’s works is feminism. She firmly believed that
women should have the same freedom of expression as males. Her poetry often
questioned the traditional responsibilities that women were expected to
fulfill. For example, through the poetry “An Introduction”, she questioned the
stereotyped of how the society attempts to govern women's life, but she refuses
to follow the norms. Many scholars have examined Kamala Das's poetry from a
feminist and confessional perspective, but there is still a dearth of
particular studies that connect her writing to Simone de Beauvoir's ideas in
The Second Sex (1949).This present paper will follow qualitative research
approach with a focus on textual analysis and examine Das's selective poetries
from Beauvoir's feminist theory, demonstrating how her poetries negotiate the
social construction of gender and redefine female identity as articulated by
Beauvoir.
Keywords:
Kamala Das, Poetries, Feminism, Gender, Identity
Introduction:
Distinguished Indian writer Kamala Das is noted for her writings that explore what it's like to be an Indian woman. She was born in Punnayurkulam Kerala on 31st March, 1934.She is also known by her pen name Madhavi Kutty and she has written in both English and Malayalam. Her poems are very personal, and she is regarded as a confessional poetess, which means she openly expressed her ideas, feelings and life experiences through her poetries. She wrote about love, marriage, loneliness, freedom and the struggles of women in society. She grew up in Calcutta and Kerala, where her father worked. She began composing poetry at a young stage. She is acknowledged for her major works such as The Sirens (1964), Summer in Calcutta (1965), The Descendants (1967), The old playhouse and other poems (1973) and her autobiography My Story (1976). On 31st May, 2009 the well known Indian English writer is died at a hospital in Pune.
One of the most essential themes in
kamala Das’s poetry is feminism. She strongly thought that women, like man,
should be able to freely express themselves. Many of her poetry questioned
women's traditional responsibilities. For example, in “An Introduction”, she
discusses how society attempts to govern women's life, but she refuses to
follow the norms. In “The Playhouse”, she describes marriage as something that
takes away a woman's freedom and dreams. She also wrote about love and female
desire in “The Looking Glass”, which was rare for the time because women were
not expected to discuss such matters openly. Kamala Das's poetry is simple yet
powerful. She utilized common language to ensure that everyone could understand
her poems. She thought that poetry should be written from the heart, which is
why her poems sound authentic and genuine. She avoided using difficult
vocabulary or complex ideas, instead writing about real - life events that many
women could connect to. This distinguished her poetry from other writers of the
day.
Many scholars have examined kamala
Das’s poetry from a feminist and confessional standpoint, however there is
still a lack of specific research linking her work to Simone de Beauvoir's
concepts in The Second Sex 1949.
While scholars have investigated kamala Das's themes of love, identity and
patriarchy few have examined how her poetry reflects the social construction of
gender, as articulated by Beauvoir. In
this context, this present article will study with a focus on textual
analysis and examine Das's selective poetries from Beauvoir's feminist theory,
demonstrating how her poetries negotiate the social construction of gender and
redefine female identity as articulated by Beauvoir.
Simon de Beauvoir's Feminist Perspective:
This present article uses Simone de
Beauvoir's feminist theory from The
Second Sex to examine how society establishes gender roles and restricts
women's independence. Beauvoir's idea that “One is not born, but rather
becomes, a woman” (283) will be related to kamala Das's struggles with
identity, love and societal expectations. Simone de Beauvoir explains that a woman
is not born a woman but becomes one. This means that society teaches her how to
behave like a woman, how to talk, how to walk, what to desire, and how to live.
At every stage of her life the woman is taught to be gentle, quiet, caring, and
obedient. From childhood, she is told that her worth lies in her beauty, her
ability to serve others, and her ability to please men. She is not encouraged
to think for herself, to make her own decisions, or to live for herself.
Instead, she is expected to live through others—first through her father, then
her husband, and later her children. Simone de Beauvoir calls this the
condition of being “the other.” In a world where men are treated as the central
figures—the subjects—women are treated as the objects or “Others”. This means
that men are seen as normal, strong, independent individuals, while women are
seen as incomplete or secondary. The study will look at how kamala Das's poetry
depicts the conflict between a woman's personal desires and the restrictions
imposed by a male - dominated culture. This study compares kamala Das's poetry
to Beauvoir's feminist philosophy to demonstrate how both writers resist
patriarchal standards and redefine women's identity through their works.
Negotiating the Construction of Women Identity in Kamala
Das’s Poetries:
Both the
writers came from quite different cultures and time periods, yet they shared a
strong concern about how a patriarchal environment shapes, controls, and
frequently silence women from time immemorial. Kamala Das’s poetry shows
exactly how this happens in a woman’s life. Her poems are written in a very
honest and emotional style. They are called “confessional” because she writes
about her own life—her childhood, her marriage, her desires, her pain, and she
need to be loved. But her poetry is not only about her personal experiences. It
also represents the lives of many women who suffer silently under patriarchy.
Through her poems, Kamala Das becomes the voice of all those women who are
never allowed to speak about their real feelings. When we read her poems
through Simone de Beauvoir’s ideas, we can see clearly how deeply the system of
patriarchy affects women, especially their mental and emotional health.
Kamala
Das’s poem "An Introduction" is a powerful illustration of a woman
struggling to establish her own identity in a patriarchal society. According to
Simone de Beauvoir's feminist perspective, this poem clearly demonstrates how
women are driven to behave in specific ways due to social expectations. She challenges
gender stereotypes and openly reveals her own self. The poem is very intimate
and confessional, reflecting how Kamala Das navigates her identity as a woman,
writer, and individual. Kamala Das begins the poem by discussing her childhood
and how people tried to dominate her. She writes, “I was child, and later they
/ Told me I grew, for I became tall, my limbs / Swelled and one or two places
sprouted hair”. These lines depict how her body changes while society continues
to shape her in their own image. She is not viewed as a person, but as a woman
who must conform to the roles set by others. She also discusses the urge to
communicate solely in acceptable ways. She says: “Don't write in English, they
said, English is not your mother-tongue” but Kamala Das pushes back, saying she
will write in any language she wants because it is her way of expressing
herself. This is a powerful expression of personality and independence. It
represents Beauvoir's belief that a woman is not born but created by society.
Kamala Das refused to be “made” by others. She frankly discusses her emotional
and sexual experiences, stating, “I met a man and loved him. Call / Him not by
any name, he is every man / Who wants a woman”. The quotation demonstrates how
women are frequently viewed merely as objects of desire. However, Kamala Das
utilizes her voice to assert control over her body and emotions, a feminist
act. She concludes the poem with the powerful words, “I am sinner, I am saint.
I am the beloved and betrayed”. This remark indicates that she accepts all
aspects of herself. She does not allow society to define her identity. In
short, "An Introduction" depicts Kamala Das’s journey to discover her
own identity. She questions gender stereotypes, linguistic barriers, and female
aspirations. This transforms her into a true voice of feminism and gender
identity, as shown by Simone de Beauvoir.
“The Old
Playhouse” by Kamala Das is a powerful feminist piece about how a woman loses
her identity after marriage. From Simone de Beauvoir's feminist standpoint,
this poem vividly demonstrates how society transforms a woman into someone she
is not. The woman in the poem is compelled to live a life dominated by a man.
Kamala Das uses her personal sentiments to describe the anguish of being a woman
seeking freedom and her own voice. In the poem, the house represents a trap
rather than a happy home. Kamala Das wrote: “You called me wife, / I was taught
to break saccharine into your tea and / To offer at the right moment the
vitamins”. These lines demonstrate that the man desired a faultless, obedient
wife who cared exclusively about his comfort.
The woman becomes a servant, forgetting her goals and desires. She is no
longer treated as a human being, but as someone who will please the male. The
speaker believes she has lost her authentic self. She continues: “Cowering /
Beneath your monstrous ego I ate the magic loaf and / Became a dwarf”. This
demonstrates that the man's ego was so large that the woman felt little and
vulnerable in her own eyes. She thought she lacked power. Her female identity
vanished. This relates to Beauvoir's theory that woman is constituted “the
Other”, always viewed in reference to men. Kamala Das also discusses how she
lost her independence physically and emotionally. She recounts: “You dribbled
spittle into my mouth… you called me wife”. The frightening lines establish how
the man exerted complete control over her body and identity. She is not adored
as a person, but rather as a thing. At the end of the poem, there is a small act
of disobedience. She concurs: “I am learning to lie beside you without /
Touching you”. This establishes that she is beginning to reject the forced
relationship and is seeking her own space, or self. In short, “The Old
Playhouse” is a powerful poem in which Kamala Das depicts how women become
stuck in marriage and lose their identities. However, the poem also represents
the first step toward self-realization and liberation. It aligns with
Beauvoir's feminist concept that women must battle to become themselves.
Das’s
“The Looking Glass” discusses how a woman is supposed to impress a man by
exposing her body while concealing her emotions. From Simone de Beauvoir's
feminist standpoint, this poem demonstrates how society trains women to live
solely for men. The poem raises questions about gender norms and how male
desire shapes a woman's identity. The poem begins with counsel to a woman: give
her boyfriend what he wants. According to Kamala Das, “Gift him all / Gift him
what makes you woman”. This sentence demonstrates how the woman is instructed
to give her body to the man as if that is her sole value. It demonstrates how
women are considered as objects of pleasure. She also says: “Stand nude before
the glass with him / So that he sees himself the stronger one”. This line shows
how the woman is made to appear weak so that the guy can feel dominant. The
mirror becomes a symbol of women's training to reflect masculine pride rather
than their own individuality. This supports Beauvoir's claim that women are
always viewed as “the Other” in relation to men. Kamala Das is not supporting
this idea — she is criticizing it. She depicts the sorrow and emptiness that
occur when a woman forgets herself in order to satisfy a guy. The woman
conceals her inner thoughts and wants. In the end, the poem demonstrates how
this type of love is not genuine or equal. It's one-sided and unjust. The
woman's true identity is unknown. Overall, “The Looking Glass” depicts how
women are expected to perform for men while their true selves are overlooked.
Kamala Das fearlessly depicts the reality of female experience, and her poetry
clearly portrays feminism, gender difficulties, and identity battle, much like
Beauvoir's feminist theory.
The
poetry “Punishment in Kindergarten” is a very emotional work in which the
author recalls a sad childhood memory. Through this simple occurrence, Kamala
Das demonstrates how a little girl begins to feel lonely, strange, and
unimportant, and how these early feelings create her identity as a woman.
According to Beauvoir's feminist viewpoint, this poem demonstrates how society
shapes females from an early age to be quiet, submissive, and ashamed of
themselves. The poem opens with a reminiscence from kindergarten, when her
teacher reprimanded her in front of others. She composes: “Today the world is a
little more my own. / No need to remember the pain”. This quotation
demonstrates that the recollection was traumatic, but she is now working to
become strong and free. Earlier in the poem, she recalls the teacher remarking,
“Why don't you join the others, what / A peculiar child you are!”. This
quotation illustrates how, even in childhood, girls are expected to behave in
specific ways. They are judged if they stand out or are silent. This fosters
self-doubt and anxiety in their brains. Kamala Das demonstrates how a simple
act of scolding may have an impact on a girl's identity. She recalls sitting
alone by a hedge, feeling rejected. This depicts how girls frequently feel
excluded and unseen in a male-dominated environment. The poem concludes with
her remarking, “The child is gone, the memory stayed”. This signifies that the
pain is still a part of her, and it has shaped the woman she is today. Thus,
“Punishment in Kindergarten” is more than just a minor childhood incident. It
is about how a woman's identity develops through early gender experiences.
Kamala Das, like Beauvoir, demonstrates that feminism includes healing and
comprehending the source of one's pain.
Another
remarkable poem “My Grandmother's House” is extremely emotional and personal.
In this poetry, she recalls her grandmother's home as one of love, protection,
and comfort. But now the house is silent and dark. According to Beauvoir's
feminist standpoint, this poem depicts how a woman feels empty and lost in her
identity when she is no longer loved or appreciated. The poem begins, “There is
a house now far away where once / I received love…” The quotation demonstrates
that in her childhood, she felt cherished and safe. That house becomes a symbol
of her genuine self, one that is valued and cared for. She is emotionally
broken as a result of losing her love. She now claims that the house is “dark”
and “shut” and that snakes slither among the bookcases. These photographs
depict her inner pain and loneliness. She wishes she could go back to her
former self, but she can't. This demonstrates her profound emotional struggle
with her identity. She muses: “I who have lost / My way and beg now at
strangers' doors to / Receive love…”. It expresses how, after marriage or growing
up, women are frequently expected to provide love but not receive it. The woman
ignores her own wants. Her feminine self disappears. According to Beauvoir,
this demonstrates how society transforms women into the “other” — always
giving, never receiving, and constantly in need of male acceptance. Kamala Das
portrays this hidden suffering and the loss of the true “self” that existed in
her grandmother's home. Therefore, “My Grandmother's House” is a poem on
memory, loss, and identity problem. Kamala Das uses this memory to depict a
woman's silent battle for love, liberation, and feminist self-realization.
Conclusion:
Therefore,
to conclude this research paper examines selective poetries by Kamala Das from
Simone de Beauvoir's feminist viewpoint, namely her famous book The Second
Sex. The textual analysis of selective poetries opens up about Kamala Das’s
inner thoughts, pain, desires, and womanly experiences which make her poems
both honest and convincing. All the poetries discuss how women are treated in marriage,
how they are supposed to behave, and how their authentic selves are frequently
overlooked. They demonstrate how patriarchal society shapes a woman's identity
around defined roles such as wife, mother or caretaker. But Kamala Das
criticizes these stereotypes and expresses her desire to live freely as an
individual. Thus, this research paper shows how Kamala Das uses poetry as a way
to protest against patriarchy and to negotiate her identity. Her poems are
quite consistent with Beauvoir's feminist ideology. Both women feel that a
woman should not be governed by others and should develop her own personality.
Kamala Das speaks up for all women who feel silenced. Her poems are not only
about her life, but about each woman who wishes to be free. Therefore, through
this study, we can understand how feminism, gender, and identity are deeply
connected in Kamala Das’s poetries.
Works Cited
Borde, Constance, and
Sheila Malovany-Chevallier, translators. The Second Sex. By Simone de
Beauvoir, Vintage Classics, 2015.
---, “My Grandmother's
House”. Summer in Calcutta, Writers Workshop, 1965.
---, “The Looking Glass”.
The Old Playhouse and Other Poems, Orient BlackSwan, 1973
---, My Story. Sterling Publishers, 1996.
---. “Punishment in
Kindergarten”. The Descendants, Writers Workshop, 1973.
---. “An Introduction”.
Summer in Calcutta, Rajinder Paul, 1965.
Shyama, Noor-E-Saiar.
“The Woman on Women's Woes: A Study of Kamala Das's
“An Introduction””. Green University Review of Social Sciences, Volume 06, Issue
02, December-2020.