Subjugation and the Othering in Bapsi Sidwa’s The Pakistani Bride: A Muted Group Theory (MGT) Perspectives

Abstract

The stringent patriarchal system and the intricacies of social conditioning, through coercion and ideological indoctrination concerning gender values, are peculiar to the Kohistani culture. It must be explored before the emancipation of women in Kohistani tribal society. Bapsi Sidwa’s The Pakistani Bride portrays a girl Zaitoon’s life; a female subjected to patriarchal circumstances. She is treated, to some extent, the same way as in Simon de Bouvier's “The Second Sex”, However, the peculiarity of Kohistani culture perhaps make it worse. The paper explores the deep causes of female subjugation and Othering in society. Moreover, the paper also advocates the female strengths and individuality implemented in contemporary Kohistani culture by tracing its tenets according to Muted Group Theory (MGT).