Originally posted by: maryadafan1
Ok, this may be a bit boring, but since I think it is a good question it deserves a serious discussion. To answer this question one needs to look at the notion of the 'normative'.
The term means that state, through society, upholds one way of living as good ('normal') and another way of living as bad('abnormal'). Moreover, these notions of 'good' and 'bad' are tied to the construct of gender. Certain ways of being are specified by state/society so that a divide-and-rule policy can work (just like the British divided and ruled India!). Divide-and-rule requires that one section of the population must be shown to be better than the other. In a patriarchal society, such as the one we live in, men are taught that they are better than women. If you are taught this for centuries you start believing it. So, certain dangerous notions are drilled into us as "natural" or "normal." You are so completely indoctrinated by this notion of "natural" inequality that you start not only perpetuating that inequality in your own life but also try to ensure it in the lives of others. So, for those totally indoctrinated in patriarchal notions, such as Devyani, it is 'normal' for a woman to suffer in silence, to pretend that all is well, because if she doesn't then society would regard her as 'abnormal'! It is this fear of being declared abnormal and therefore being ostracised that makes people like Devyani behave the way they do. Priya is being 'abnormal' (I'm so proud of her!) at huge risk. She is refusing to follow rules laid down by patriarchy. I'm sure, when/if she comes to know about Gaurav's homosexuality she will stay true to her principles and support him 100% while criticising Devyani for forcing Gaurav to marry.
