Resistance and resilience in When Dreams Travel

When Dreams Travel by Githa Hariharan explores intricate themes of gender, power, and oppression through a retelling of the classic Arabian Nights tales, specifically focusing on the story of Scheherazade novel reimagines the narrative, placing the women of the tale at its core and examining the roles and expectations. In When Dreams Travel, gender is a primary lens through which power is exercised. Hariharan presents a society where male dominance is deeply ingrained, and women’s identities are often defined by their relationships to men—whether as wives, mothers, or objects of desire. King Shahryar’s brutal treatment of his wives, executing them after one night, underscores the extent of male power and control. She uses her intelligence and creativity to delay her death, transforming the passive role expected of women into one of subtle resistance. Scheherazade’s resilience challenges the patriarchal order, illustrating that knowledge and art can be powerful tools for survival. In When Dreams Travel, Hariharan offers a layered critique of gender and power, highlighting how patriarchal oppression shapes and confines women’s lives. Through the characters of Scheherazade and Dunyazad, she presents different facets of resilience and resistance, showing that, even within strict societal limitations, women find ways to assert their agency and craft spaces for their voices.

Keywords- Resistance, Resilience, Gender, Reimagine, Power