Unveiling Forced Heteronormativity in the Social Context of Kerala: A Comparative Study of the Novel Jezebel by K. R. Meera and the Malayalam Cinema Kaadhal-The Core by Jeo Baby 

This comparative study actually explores or investigates the intricacies of forced heteronormativity as portrayed in K. R. Meera’s novel Jezebel (2022) and Jeo Baby’s cinema Kaathal- The Core (2023). This paper studies or aims to dissect the societal constructs that dictate normative gender and sexual identities, particularly within the framework or context of Kerala culture. By juxtaposing the narratives of the novel and the cinema, this research seeks to explore and find out how heteronormativity is imposed and well-maintained. K. R. Meera’s Jezebel (2022) offers a literary canvas where the protagonist’s struggle of traditional gender roles and her husband’s sexual orientation collides with the societal expectations imposed upon him and her. Through amusing characterization and intricate plotlines, K. R. Meera produce a narrative that challenges the inflexible or rigid boundaries of heteronormativity, inviting readers to question established norms. In contrast, Jeo Baby’s directed cinema Kaathal- The Core (2023) utilizes the visual medium, that is, cinema in-order to portray similar themes within the realm of Indian cinema (Mollywood). By examining the film’s characterization, plot structure, and visual analysis, this paper studies or aims to unravel the nuanced ways in which heteronormativity is reinforced through cultural representations. Through this comparative analysis, the research aims to shed light on the complexities of forced heteronormativity in Kerala society and contribute to ongoing discussions surrounding gender and sexual identity. By examining both literary and cinematic representations, this research offers an all-inclusive wide understanding of the mechanisms through which societal norms shape and constrain individual experiences.

Keywords: heteronormativity, gender, sexual identity, cinema, cultural, comparative