Subaltern Voices And Patriarchal Constraints In Indira Goswami’s ‘The Moth-Eaten Howdah Of The Tusker’ And Anita Desai’s ‘Fire On The Mountain’

Abstract

This paper examines the portrayal of subaltern women and their resistance against patriarchal and socio-cultural constraints in Indira Goswami’s ‘The Moth-Eaten Howdah of the Tusker’ and Anita Desai’s ‘Fire on the Mountain’ Through a postcolonial and feminist lens, it analyzes how Goswami and Desai depict marginalized female characters—widows and isolated women—who navigate oppressive social structures. Goswami’s novel, set in a rural Assamese sattra, critiques Brahminical patriarchy and feudal decay, while Desai’s work, set in the Himalayan solitude of Kasauli, explores psychological isolation and gendered expectations. Using textual examples, the paper highlights characters like Giribala and Nanda Kaul, who embody resistance through rebellion and withdrawal, respectively. By comparing their narrative strategies, thematic concerns, and socio-cultural contexts, this study underscores the authors’ contributions to Indian literature, emphasizing the agency of subaltern women within restrictive frameworks. This analysis aligns with postcolonial and feminist discourses, offering insights for global literary studies.