The Dalit Autobiographies Summary

Appreciating Patriarchy:
The male protagonists of the Dalit autobiographies have always appreciated patriarchy. The Dalit males have controlled the family with their leadership in the decision-making process. They always expected respect from the family. They did not follow the decisions of the women but dominated them. Though the Dalit women participate for the earning of the family; they were without economic freedom. To some extent, they uphold a Brahmanic patriarchal tradition to exploit their women.
Masamai married with Ithal Kamble who was contract labour on Hanumant Limbale’s farm at Basalgaon. After her protest, she was molested by the later. The caste council, which represented patriarchy, divorced Masamai from her husband Ithal Kamble. Her condition was worst in such state whereas Ithal Kamble remarried.
‘Now

Dhanavva was a beautiful widow. She was not married for the second time as it was a big problem. Her father Shankar made her pregnant. When he was questioned for his immorality, he executed his right in the discourse of patriarchy. He argued that he could exploit his daughter to whom he had given birth.
‘Dhanavva, a woman from our village, visited Devki quite frequently. Dhanavva was Shankar's young and beautiful daughter. Her husband had been struck dead by lighting, and she was now living with her father, a rascal. She was his eldest daughter. Getting her remarried was a big problem. Now pregnant by her own father, Dhanavva kept visiting Devki. She begged Devki to abort her. It was rather late for an abortion because Dhanavva had kept it a secret all this while. Shankar, her father said, ‘I have sown the seed from which she has grown as a plant. Now why shouldn’t I eat the fruits of this plant?’
Father and daughter, plant and fruit, conception. I saw Dhanavva passing by our house every day. Sometimes she visited my mother and cried a lot.’ (Limbale