Fragmented Narratives: Gender-Based Trauma and Psychopathology in Avni Doshi’s Burnt Sugar

The analysis focuses on the portrayal of gender oppression, traumatic bonding, and various anxiety and psychotic disorders in Avni Doshi’s “Burnt Sugar”. The complex relationship between Antara and her mother, Tara, provides a narrative through which psychological conditions stemming from personal trauma and gender-based oppression are examined. With traumatic bonding theory, the paper explores how the mother-daughter bond is shaped by generational trauma and societal expectations of women. The novel reveals multiple manifestations of anxiety disorders in Antara’s growing distress and obsessive need for control.

Tara’s erratic behavior suggests symptoms of psychotic disorders, notably postpartum psychosis and schizophrenia, as her rebellion against societal norms and neglect of Antara take on disorienting, delusional qualities. These psychological conditions are exacerbated by the intense gender oppression experienced by the characters, amplifying their emotional instability. Anthropophobia, a fear of human connection, is rooted in this novel. It illustrates how patriarchal structures lead to psychological alienation, forcing women to disconnect from themselves and others, becoming both a symptom and a defense mechanism against societal expectations.

Doshi’s fragmented narrative structure, oscillating between timelines and using first-person narration, mirrors the mental disintegration experienced by the protagonists. The disjointed storytelling highlights their unstable sense of self, a direct consequence of traumatic bonding and the oppressive sociocultural environment. By engaging with psychological and cultural theories, the paper emphasizes how Burnt Sugar exposes the invisible scars left by gender oppression, revealing how anxiety, psychotic disorders, and trauma are deeply intertwined with women’s experiences in contemporary India.

Keywords: Gender oppression, Traumatic bonding, Resilience, Anthropophobia

Myth To Modernity – An Exploration Of Women’s Resilience

Dr.Sujani Tata, Associate Professor, K.Radha Madhavi^, Assistant Professor & Ch, Manjeera, Assistant Professor of English, Sri Vasavi Engineering College Tadepalligudem, W.G.Dt.

Abstract

The impediments that hinder the progress of women date back to Times immemorial. Women are relegated to the back seat irrespective of their potential and value. They have attributed the qualities of weaknesses and sensitivity based on the prejudices and misconceptions of men. The more civilised men shroud their ill feelings in refined expression, highlighting women as more emotional and sensitive, while the callous men consider them as objects of vulnerability and manifestation of stupidity, ignoring the gentility, sensuousness, intelligence and power of discretion. This lack of positive concern and understanding has led to gender discrimination and violence. The threat to women has been ubiquitous in society, and the same is reflected in epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The so-called modern society, which prides itself on gender equality, is still plagued by gender violence. The researchers present a comparative study of ancient women and modern women and the contemporary biases in society with a special reference to the female epic characters of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It examines the evolving nature of gender bias, the impact of societal expectations and the enduring challenges faced by women across time. For instance, Sita, despite her unwavering loyalty and courage, is subjected to ostracism and humiliation based on unfounded suspicions. Draupadi, a symbol of strength and intelligence, is humiliated in public and becomes a pawn in political games. Many other epic women characters were subjected to suffering and humiliation due to patriarchal societal norms, which are exemplified and paralleled to modern women.

Keywords: Gender discrimination, misconceptions, violence, challenges, epics