Geetanjali shree's novel 'Mai' is a powerful reflection of the lives of women in India, particularly in context of traditional middle-class families in northern India.
It is a feminist novel that represents the mothers and daughters universally. The novel is narrated by Mai's daughter Sunaina, who fears she will have to follow her mother's footsteps as since her childhood she has seen her mother attending the family silently. As she says "I cannot become another Mai. Mai herself is a vanishing species".
The novel delves into themes of patriarchy, multifaceted role of motherhood, family dynamics and struggle of women. As title suggests it is a novel that portrays complexities of lives of women being a mother. Mai as a protagonist of the novel embodies the elements of submissiveness, oppressed, powerless, muted and ignored. She was bent, weak, always working and behind the parda. She does not have her own vision and ability to take decisions. She is represented as a puppet in the hands of patriarchy. Her life was controlled by the elders in her house.
Geetanjali Shree has used characters of 'dada' and 'babu' to represent the male dominance exerted upon the females of the family. Dada was a dominating, controlling and hot- tempered figure with misogynistic tendencies. His relationship with the rest of house was of intimidation. He disliked women and did not want them to be seen in certain parts of the house. It reflects the patriarchal mindset that restricted women's movement in their own house. He even beat Dadi. Dada's character contributes to the overall theme of patriarchy and challenges faced by women in the narrative, focusing on the oppressive environment within the family dynamics.
On the other hand,Babu or Mai's husband is
also portrayed as a dominating figure.
He along with his family plays a significant role in subjugating Mai, leading to her almost silent and submissiveness existence within the family structure.
As said by Sunaina "she never spoke loudly to him, hardly looked straight at him, but there was a special attitude only for him".
If she had to tell us ttogive something to babu there was a same tone- sighing, suffering and full of martyrdom".
Mai was always afraidof Babu and
she never dared to speak in front of him.
At certain times she
stood for her children
but never raised voice
of herself.
In patriarchal
society a mother is always
meant to be giving, nurturing, sacrificing and working for everyone despite her own aspirations. The novel represents how the public spaces or 'outside' is a world to be conquered by men whereas private spaces or 'households' are meant for women. Mai is always confined to the household and domestic sphere and lacks the access to public spaces. Geetanjali Shree has also portrayed the gender stereotypes associated with women. Although, gender stereotypes serve to uphold patriarchy and place boundaries upon women's lives. For instance, some of them reflected in the novel are - to be behind parda, singing and dancing was a kind of sin for women as said by Dada "the women who sang or wore bells on their feet were considered as bad women", specific clothing styles are assigned to women and so on. As Father told girls in schools "Dear girls, the lord has made you perfect like apples, round, red, sweet. But, remember, to keep this in you must not let anyone touch".
Hiding oneself behind the 'parda' is considered as a virtue of women. Dadi would teach Sunaina that the real purda is being humble, sweet, who never raise one's eyes or voice but Sunaina always protested against this prejudice. The parda that was the seal of Mai's modesty and forbearance was in real the symbol of oppression, submission etc. Mai was uneducated, voiceless and a round pot without a shape. Despite being a women Dadi had always had an upper hand on Mai. She never supported her and she used to give some bad comments. She did all the sacrifices for her family even then she was not recognized for doing so. She was a silent listener. Mai was simple, innocent and weak whereas Dadi acted as a dictator. She was always ungrateful towards Mai's sacrifices and her selfless service for the entire family.
Mai and Sunaina juxtaposed each other. Mai heard everyone impassively whereas Sunaina was not a 'weakling'. She was not a silent listener. She was educated, enjoyed freedom, and fulfilled her dreams and aspirations. She somehow managed to become a free bird whose wings are not clipped and was free to fly high. Even she was restricted from certain things but with the support given by Mai and Subodh she was free from the shackles of this prison. She rejected patriarchal conformity. She wants free herself as well as Mai from the house which was not less than a 'prison'. Although Sunaina and Subodh dream of freeing their mother from oppression, they persist in projecting their own desires onto her.
