Journal Issues

Abstract

Now a days women can make own choices. They are independent, having their identities. But years before the women were trapped in old traditions and culture. Due to the lack of confidence, education, they were unable to take decisions. Even for their own children or get stuck in the societal norms and live life in pressure. Now also this happens that women get suppressed but now we see a major shift in their behaviour due to the confidence on themselves. One such story is ‘Oleander Girl’. The story of a young girl Korobi Roy, the protagonist, a beautiful yet powerful girl heading towards finding her identity and going abroad alone. As after years she gets to know that her father is alive, who was declared dead by her grandfather. Her relation with fiancé Rajat, where he fully supports Korobi emotionally, socially and financially to find her father in USA. The story intermingled with many other women of her life. Her grandmother Mrs. Sarojini Roy, who never dared to go beyond her husband’s will. Her mother Anu Roy, the women from where the story starts. Her mother in law Mrs. Jayashree Bose, who is constantly under societal status. Her sister in law Pia Bose, an open minded modern girl. With all the twist and turns featuring the story in India as well as in USA Korobi finally meets her father (basically her true recognition). In the end as she returns back to India she solves everyone’s misunderstandings and get all the answers of her identity which she always wanted for herself.        

Key Words:  Lost Voices, Social Status, Breaking of Traditions, Making Choices, Female Independence 

Abstract

Honour killings described as an act of violence that include the killing of people, especially females and couples, whom members of their families feel have dishonored their clan or community. The concept of honour has found deep roots within the traditional culture and society. Violence committed in the name of honour demonstrates how traditional patriarchal values, caste ideologies, and entrenched social hierarchies continue to shape social relations in contemporary society. Therefore, honour killing cannot be viewed simply as individual aggression, rather it is indicative of the social structure operating within the culture.

Honor killers justify themselves as people attempting to restore the honor of the family lost on account of the activities engaged in by the victims, including choosing partners of their choice, marrying outside the religious and caste groups, getting divorced from one’s spouse, among others ( D’Lima,   Solotaroff , & Pande, 2020; Iyengar & Varghese, 2024).

In India, honor killings occur in situations where people violate the boundaries set forth by the society concerning religion, caste, community, family prestige and marriage. Honor killings arise out of patriarchal social institutions whereby the family and community's honor are given more preference compared to the honor of the individual and the individual's rights (Punia & Malik, 2020) Honor killings and associated violence are the outcome of the failures of a number of support mechanisms, including the individual's family, community, and other social support organizations. Most times, the perpetrator happens to be none other than the victim’s family that exerts collective force in the context of honor killings through the victim’s isolation, coercion, violence, and even murder.