Film Analysis: The World Before Her

750 Words2 Pages

The world before her is a film of hope and dreams for Indian women. We examine two girls with different paths but one goal in common, empowerment. This term conveys a wide range of interpretations and definitions one of them being power over oneself. Both Prachi and Ruhi manifest a will for female empowerment but both have distinct views on how this is achieved. Prachi believes the way to achieve empowerment is through her mind and strength, while she still confines to tradition views of Indian culture. Ruhi desires to achieve female empowerment by exposing her beauty in a non-conservative way while maintaining her Indian identity.

Prachi, a militant Hindu living in the rural side of India believes that the Hindu life is for her. In a Hindu camp she preaches resistance to Islam, Christianity and western culture. Prachi feels strongly about defending her beliefs and would not hesitate to use violence. In this camp, Prachi and the girls are taught to use firearms and to fight. This training has made Prachi believe that she is capable of killing, and ready to put her life at risk in defense of Hinduism. Her dedication to Hinduism has made Prachi question God’s desire for her. She states, “I'm different from girls, I'm different from boys. My life is not to get married, to produce children. I have the feeling I’ve not been made by God for these things” (Prachi). With this declaration, Prachi reveals a lack of sexual continuum and this leads us to consider that her sexual identity had an impact in her choosing to live her life this way. Being surrounded by so much violence has made Prachi tough and the treatment she receives from her father has made her strong. Her father doesn’t allow her to cry, he believes it shows weakness. He ...

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... something she wants being that she still confines in her tradition to a certain extent. During the pageant, their morals are being question since the pageant contestants are required to do things that the traditional perceive as unmoral such as modeling in bathing suits.

As we compare the traditional women versus modern women, we perceive differences and similarities. Prachi fights for a belief system that controls her meanwhile Ruhi struggles with self-identity and depends on the beauty pageant to empower her as an Indian woman. Prachi defends Hinduism but at the same time, is Hinduism that restrains her from becoming “modern.” Ruhi on the other hand considers herself a very modern girl and she values freedom therefor the pageant is a road to liberation for her. Both girls struggle in distinct ways but their goal is similar, to shape their countries future.

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