Female Autonomy vs. Duty:
Sushma’s Turmoil in Pachpan Khambe Lal Deeware
Dr. Versha Singh
ABSTRACT
The term ‘female autonomy’ denotes the capacity
and rights of women to make their own priorities in their lives, and
assert their independence, especially within sociocultural contexts
that often appear as obstacle and impede them to define their roles
according to societal, familial, or cultural norms. Simone de
Beauvoir: “Only in work can a woman achieve autonomy and can support
herself." At its core, female autonomy challenges traditional gender
roles that often restrict women to lifeless, dependent, or
subordinate positions in family, work, or society at large. Usha
Priyamvada is counted among those Hindi storytellers who have
identified and expressed the monotony, restlessness, fear, anxiety
and loneliness of modern life at the emotional level. This is why,
on the one hand, her works possess a strong modern tone, while on
the other, readers of all walks of life identify themselves with the
incidents and emotions depicted in them. The theme of female
autonomy is profoundly explored in Pachpan Khambe Lal Deewarei. The
research paper presents Usha Priyamvada’s 1961 novel as a pioneering
text of the ‘Nayi Kahani ‘movement that exposes the psychological
weakness and dark side of post-independence Indian modernity. It
acts as a crucial critique of transition-era India and It
demonstrates that education and financial security do not equal
psychological or social autonomy. The writer efficaciously unmasks
"parental duty" as a repressive tool that forces the modern woman to
choose between financial autonomy for her family or emotional
survival for herself. Critical discourse surrounding the novel
recurrently highlights the paradox of the protagonist, Sushma, an
educated college lecturer and hostel warden in Delhi. Sushma is the
sole breadwinner for her parents, brothers, and sisters. She remains
emotionally trapped by familial obligations. The research paper
presents the emotional complexities and dilemma of a women who
suffers between her familial responsibilities and personal desires.
The research paper includes several instances and highlights close
reading of text that explicates emotional turmoil of Sushma. The
protagonist Sushma may not fully realize her potential due to her
societal constraints. The translation of original novel is published
as titled “Fifty Pillars, Red Walls" by Daisy Rockwell. The title is
deeply meaningful and coherent. It metaphorically represents the
structure of society that holds women like her captive. The strong
walls and pillars are stable, even beautiful — but they also
confine, isolate, and restrain. The novel poignantly depicts that
societal expectations play a significant role in shaping the women’s
lives.
Keywords: Female autonomy, dilemma, confrontation, societal
expectations, walls and pillars.
