An Analytical Study of Women Objectification in “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

Faheem Arshad

doi:10.33195/jll.v5iii.278

Abstract

The objectification of women is a communal problem in every developed and underdeveloped society of the world. Women make a major population of the world and serve society in multidimensional modes, but still, they are considered feeble to men. The subject of women objectification has remained the focus of various researchers globally. This research focused on three short stories drawn from “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders” of Daniyal Mueenuddin to bring forward disparities and inequalities prevailing in the patriarchal society of Pakistan. Additionally, it investigated the impact of these inequalities and injustices on the downtrodden women of Pakistan. The objectification of women is such discrimination that women are subjected to undergo in a patriarchal social setup. This study analyzes the objectification of women through the lenses of female characters selected from three short stories. This study uses the theoretical frameworks of Martha Nussbaum and Rae Langton’s to draw outcomes for this study. Study findings exhibit that female characters undergo objectification and are treated as things by males in the male-dominated strata of Pakistan. Keywords: Women objectification, gender, patriarchy, oppression, feminism

Highlights

The male characters are presented as the paragon of supremacy, authority and power and female characters as their reliant
In Pakistani society, male hold all power and dominance, and women are entrapped in the patriarchal web
In Daniyal Mueenduddin’s short story collection, women are presented as sufferers in patriarchal world

Summary

Introduction

‘In Other Rooms, Other Wonders’ is a short story, comprising eight interconnected stories The writer in these short stories, has presented complexities of a feudal culture and stratified Pakistani society, where some groups due to high status and affluent positions enjoy all privileges and luxuries of life and exploit the working class, especially women. These stories shed light on the plight of women of lower social strata who become the victim of double oppression; firstly, as female, secondly being poor.

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