GENDER TROUBLE IN QAISRA SHAHRAZ’S TYPHOON: A CULTURAL FEMINIST ANALYSIS

Abstract

The present study sheds light on the persisting problems of female sexuality and its consequences, particularly in rural areas of Pakistan in Shahraz's second novel Typhoon (2003). It deals with the qualitative analysis by expanding on the discussion concerning woman's body and sexuality in Pakistani society, both within and beyond the confines of marriage. Relying on the early work of Mary Wollstonecraft this article reveals the harsh realities of discriminative and biased attitude of the patriarchal society towards the women which makes them feel burdened by their own sexuality. Men, on the other hand, take pride in their masculinity, which gives more authority and power to their voice thus, turning women into the objects of oppression. The premise of feminism and gender trouble highlights the cultural domination and its effects on women's lives (as it is depicted in Shahraz's novel through the portrayal of different female characters) in terms of body shaming.