The Male Gaze as an Agent of Patriarchy: A Comparative Analysis of “Apologies for Living On” and Andheri Local”

Abstract

Aims: A critical examination of the intersection of Male Gaze and violence in Meena Kandasamy’s “Apologies for Living On” and Arundhathi Subramaniam’s “Andheri Local” through a Gynocentric lens, can analyze how the poems portray the Male Gaze as a form of violence that perpetuates patriarchal power dynamics, objectifies women's bodies, and reinforces oppressive social norms. This article aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of power and oppression that shape women's experiences. By examining the intersection of male gaze and violence in these poems.

Methodology and Approaches: To obtain the aims the methodology of Close reading of the texts; Imagery, Tone, Voice, Symbolism, and Metaphor analysis are done. The article also uses various approaches like Comparative analysis, Patriarchy theory, Feminist Literary Criticism, Intersectionality, and Critical Discourse analysis to validate the objective of the study.

Outcomes: A deeper understanding of the ways in which male gaze in portrayed in the contemporary Indian poetry.

Conclusion and Suggestions: The analysis highlights the importance of considering the intersectionality of patriarchy, caste, and class in understanding the operations of male gaze. Future research can explore the ways in which male gaze is resisted in other forms like films, novels, media, and short stories.