THE UNFAIR CONSERVATISM OF A PATRIARCHAL SOCIETY IN R.K. NARAYAN’S "THE DARK ROOM" (Pages 01-09) by Dr. Seema Chaudhary in THE ENGLISH RESEARCH EXPRESS / ISSN:2321-1164 (Online); 2347-2642 (Print)

In patriarchal society, a woman is given the peripheral region and the centre is occupied by man. This is the socio-historical structure of India. The tradition, superstition, male-dominated environment of society leaves woman in a boundary of four walls. In the novel The Dark Room, Savitri is the female protagonist .She is a tradition-bound loyal Hindu wife, totally devoted to her husband and her children. She represents a modest woman who does not complain and keep under the chain of restrictions. The paper deals with how a dutiful wife suffers silently in the orthodox Hindu culture and patriarchal norms of the Indian society. Savitri belongs to the group of oppressive women who do not have the slightest power to do anything of their own. She loses all notions of her independence, her individuality, stature and strength. Besides playing the traditional wifely role, Savitri is also an affectionate and solicitous mother who always thinks for the welfare and well-being of her children. After her attempt to commit suicide, she pockets her pride and returns home only for her children. She leads a life of toil and travail for the rest of her life. Keywords: peripheral, superstition, protagonist, orthodox, oppressive, stature, affectionate, considerate, travail etc.