The Holy Woman Analysis

‘Here I stand before you, Mother, my father’s Shahzadi Ibadat’. She spread her hands in a flourish. ‘The Holy Woman. The woman he created by killing me. Did you not know that men are the true creators in our culture, Mother? They mould our lives and destinies according to their whims and desires’. (The Holy Woman, p.88)

The Holy Woman, by Qaisra Shahraz, encapsulates the restrictions on the lives of women living under patriarchy. The Holy Woman highlights how the powerful social structures and feudal customs, centred on female body and sexuality, restrict women and are difficult to challenge. These customs and tradition are often nurtured, strengthened and kept alive through violent and unjust actions centred on women. This paper shows how the female body is associated with

Shahzada’s haplessness reflects the restrictions faced by women, where wealth and high standards of living do not necessarily afford women autonomy or decision-making power Shahzada not only remains ‘voiceless’ herself but also discourages her younger daughter from challenging her father’s decision, “No, stop Ruby! I have tried to persuade him but it is no use” (The Holy Woman, p.83). Shahzada’s subordination is so strongly internalised that she fails to see how her younger daughter could ‘reason’ with the man that she has failed to persuade. Ruby too remains silent as she is made aware that her voice would not be heard. One possible reason for the silence that women either choose or are forced into is discussed by Deborah Cameron (1990) who points out how social taboos and restrictions prevent women from speaking: Even where it seems that women could speak if they chose, the conditions imposed on their lives by society may make this a difficult or dangerous choice. Silence can also mean censoring yourself for fear of being ridiculed, attacked or ignored. (Cameron, 1990,