Deconstructing Consent: A Feminist Reading of Patriarchal Power and Hegemonic Masculinity in Indian Society

Abstract

This paper examines the autobiographies of Baby Halder and Temsula Ao, focusing on how their personal narratives reflect the complexities of hegemonic masculinity and patriarchal oppression within Indian society. By analyzing Halder’s A Life Less Ordinary and Ao’s Once Upon a Life, the paper highlights how patriarchal ideologies shape their childhood, family dynamics, and personal choices. It discusses how both women, despite facing physical and emotional abuse, feel compelled to justify male dominance, either through cultural conditioning or survival mechanisms. Through a detailed analysis of their life stories, the paper explores how these women navigate and, at times, unknowingly legitimize the power structures that dominate their lives. The research engages with Simone de Beauvoir’s feminist philosophy and Raewyn Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity to analyze how women internalize patriarchal ideologies, often justifying male dominance due to sociocultural conditioning. Post-truth operates through selective narratives that obscure structural inequalities, compelling women to conform to traditional femininity while paradoxicall  seeking autonomy. The paper reflects on the significance of their eventual autonomy and achievements, illustrating how their personal empowerment emerges only when they break free from these oppressive structures. Ultimately, this study contributes to understanding the intersectionality of gender, caste, and patriarchy in literature, while emphasizing how autobiographical narratives can challenge societal norms and foster advocacy for gender equality. Through these works, the paper underscores the transformative potential of literature in addressing marginalization and promoting resistance against gender-based oppression in the contemporary world.