Masculinity in the two recent books on Women
". . . Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty."
-Lady Macbeth (Macbeth)
It's a much touted topic of discussion as to whether Lady Macbeth is the moving force, a motivational entity in the Shakespearean tragedy 'Macbeth', or she simply is a befitting female foil to her husband Macbeth on the way to fulfilment of his evil aspirations by means of unnumbered homicides. Perhaps, the entire feminine race might get stuck in the dilemma as to which way to pursue befitting the expectations decreed upon them by virtue of a female birth.
But in two recently published books on women 'The Circle of Life & Other Tales' by Haimanti Dutta Ray and 'Unfettered Wings' by Sana Munir the motto of feminism has been elevated to a different spectrum which will emanate the hues that are hitherto believed to have partaken of the shades of masculinity only. The two books have eloquently narrated the stories to establish how the female protagonists embody the masculine traits of every possible kind.
While Anupama, a journalist in 'Wait Until Dark' does not give up her investigation just as Saima, an inspector in 'Saima', keeps running after the clues, in search of the truth behind an uncalledfor death, thereby upholding ideals of indomitability until the perpetrator is put to justice, Iravati, a Physics professor, despite her education is found to compromise with the overreaching ambitions of her husband and also loses her mother in the end whereas Habiba sacrifices her own life for the sake of humanity, thus each upholding two contrasting images. Being averse to an ideal is regarded as one of the aspects of anti-hero who is also an epitome of inexorability amidst vulnerability all around.
On the other, hand Urmila in 'Mimesis' embraces death after having her dreams of a happy family shattered while Summi being one commonplace woman yet knowing the rudimentary elements of peace in matrimony does her best to maintain the sanctity of united living. Here too the two women involuntarily brings out the fallacies preponderant in the existing societies, as if two spokespersons representing two opposite flanks arguing on the aspects of human nature.
While just like one vastly experienced soul Farida knows only the theory of acceptance of the trails that life may have on offer and does not even show her emotions even in the least, Madhabilata in 'An Acquisition' is not shy in expressing her elation on seeing her wishes for the 'Dark Lady' materialize. Here, two different reactions stand facing each other- 'indifference' against 'poignancy', as though one seasoned person suggesting to learn restraint while accepting the gifts of life, because surprises may hurt as found in Jessica Bordoloi in 'An Egyptian Rhapsody'.
That love also may lead to a conflict between two apparently benign characters is brought up when Nazia, the seeker of true love does not fear finding it in Imran, while Vasundhara in 'Absences and Presences' is happy with her memories of Prithwish, her late husband. And, who does not know what a man can do in search of love? Only Ira in 'The Final Curtain' knows what it takes to be one truly dedicated to theatre, while Beena, a Shahrukh fanatic, knows how it feels when love depends on a mere film show. These stubbornly whimsical dispositions are possible only in men; they can never belong to women, the images of sense and composure.
So, who says emancipation of women has not turned the world around? It has. Rather, it has exerted such immense impact upon the age old dogma of patriarchy that even the male-controlled machineries of the society are eventually compelled to accept the fact that women are no longer the race only to be exploited by men for their ends; they are now the moving force of the entire humanity. At least their potentiality in case of exercising resilience and resurgence says so. The two aforementioned women writers are the ultimate instances of that very change the society has already undergone.
Amazon links-
The Circle of Life & Other Tales: https://www.amazon.in/CIRCLE-LIFE-OTHER-TALES/dp/8193404777/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1532008860&sr=8-3&keywords=circle+of+life
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