Man-Woman Relationship in Anita Nair’s Lessons in Forgetting

Abstract

The research paper aims to explore the relationship between man and woman in the patriarchal society in Anita Nair’s Lessons in Forgetting. The work of Nair in Lessons in Forgetting is an example of feminine writing which portrays the stories of women facing different issues existing in a patriarchal society like gender discrimination, love, betrayal, female feticide, family responsibilities etc. The novel also explains how these women come out of their shells to rebel and live life in their own way. In fact, the works of women writers like Anita Desai, Githa Hariharn, Sashi Deshpande and Anita Nair focus on challenging and rebellious attitude of women against the odds of the patriarchal society. Lessons in Forgetting is a story about grabbing the second chance in life without any hesitation. Meera, the protagonist and other female characters face betrayal from their husband and are bound to think what comes next. The novel is a story of two individuals who manage to overcome their bitter past to start a new life. The writer also talks about another female character in the novel named Kala Chiti who also accepted the challenges of life. Her husband left her because she could not bear a baby and married to another lady. Kala Chiti did not think this as the end of her life rather she opted for a fresh beginning.