Exploring Male Chauvinism and Gender-Based Violence in Someone Like Her: A Psychoanalytic Feminist Critique

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This study examines Awais Khan's novel Someone Like Her (2023) from a psychoanalytic feminist perspective. It focuses on themes of male chauvinism, gender-based violence, and societal stereotypes. Male chauvinism is a superiority complex that violates a woman’s dignity, and equality and subjugates her both physically and psychologically. It is based on the notion that men are regarded as superior gender to women. It is a concept that has been passed down through centuries and celebrated by society which creates a patriarchal system. Women have long been considered the ‘weaker section’ of society and subordinate to men. Man has perpetuated patriarchy through his physical force and used it for his own gain. Due to this inevitable superiority and subjugation of women, men tend to abuse them both physically and emotionally. The study adopts a qualitative method of analysis to explore how male chauvinistic attitudes lead to gender-based violence against the protagonist, Ayesha. It explores misogynistic maltreatment and examines the societal stereotypes that affect women's portrayal and treatment. Using Nancy Chodorow’s and Juliet Mitchell’s works as a theoretical framework, the research sheds light on how patriarchal structures and gender-biased norms merge to give rise to oppression and gender inequality. This study contributes to understanding the impact of literature in reflecting and challenging societal norms, advocating for gender equality, and empowering marginalized voices.