Eclipsing Oppression: Unravelling the Labyrinth of Patriarchal Hegemony in Anita Nair’s Ladies Coupe

This paper delves into the labyrinthine structure of patriarchy—a pervasive and insidious societal framework that has enshrined male dominance and curtailed women’s autonomy across cultures and epochs. It unravels the myth of biologically determined gender roles, exposing them as constructs meticulously fashioned by social, cultural, and institutional paradigms to uphold systemic inequities. Through the lens of feminist theory, this exploration illuminates how patriarchy stealthily wields its influence, embedding itself within cultural rituals, religious doctrines, and institutional hierarchies, thereby narrowing the horizons of women’s agency and potential. The lives of women portrayed in Ladies Coupé by Anita Nair provide a resonant critique of the chasm between the societal roles ascribed to women and their lived realities of subjugation. Through their diverse yet interconnected struggles for identity and emancipation, Nair’s characters unveil the silent fortitude and quiet rebellion necessary to challenge the patriarchal edifice. In tracing these narratives, the paper seeks to celebrate resilience while urging a reevaluation of the cultural and systemic forces that bind and shape women’s experiences.