Systematic Objectification of Eastern Women in Western Society

A Case Study of ‘The Optimist’ by Bina Shah

Abstract

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Patriarchy is deeply rooted in all societies of the world and many sociological, political and religious reasons are behind this ideology. This was not highlighted by western writers in the past but it exists in the western modern world is also as presented by Loius Tyson (2006). He has claimed that women are kept oppressed economically, politically, socially and psychologically by patriarchy, moreover, women are considered as the ‘other’, therefore objectified and marginalized. The writings of eastern writers like the short story ‘The Optimist’ written by Bina Shah verifies the claims of Tyson. The narrated story proves that oppression of women is not the issue of eastern western society but it is a universal problem that has strong roots in the societies of the men dominating societies. Pakistani writers have always tried to expose such ideologies through their writings, which allegedly justify the dominance of men over women. Human relations are reciprocal and cannot be directed from one side. The approach employed is qualitative with techniques of textual and thematic analysis keeping claims in mind, presented by Lois Tyson in his book Critical Theory Today. It was found, through the analysis of the story, that women are oppressed economically, politically, socially, and psychologically and they are treated as the ‘other’: objectified and marginalized, by men not only in the east but all over the world. However, the element of ‘revolt against biased ideologies’ is also very significant through the rebellious behavior of the character and emphasizes bringing change in the societies.