Representation of Widowhood, Violence and Resistance in Indira Goswami’s The Moth-Eaten Howdah of a Tusker

Violence is a complex phenomenon which takes shapes depending upon the situation in which it takes place. Violence is usually defined as the use of power or force against any person or any community which can be physical, verbal or psychological. It is inevitably linked to every aspect of human being’s existence. Gender Based Violence (GBV) refers to the violence directed at individuals based on their gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression and can occur in both private and public spheres. GBV is often rooted in social norms and inequalities, making it a significant issue linked to broader themes of power, control, and discrimination. This paper, therefore, aims to explore different dimensions of violence inflicted upon women, particularly widows as reflected in Indira Goswami’s The Moth-Eaten Howdah of a Tusker. Originally written in Assamese and later translated into English, this novel sheds lights on the challenges faced by widows in the Sattra, a Vaishnavite monastic institution in Assam. Using theory of Violence and Feminist theory, this paper critically examines how religious practices undermine women’s equal rights and status and how women become the victims of such practices. This paper argues that in Indian literature, most of the discussions about women discrimination and violence does not explore the issues faced by widows in an Indian society. This paper, therefore, makes an attempt to bring out the historical realities of widows in Assam and advocate for a re-examination of the cultural and religious practices that continue to sustain gender-based violence.

Keywords: Literature, Widow, Gender-Based Violence, Resistance, Religion.