Ramayana Gender Roles

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In many ways— that may not be favorable— gender separates human-beings. Often in our society, gender defines a person’s individuality. Whether male or female, gender is a significant factor that contributes to a person’s pressures and responsibilities. As for women, a major social issue today is that their gender identity suppresses and dictates their role among civilization. In literature, authors depict this issue with female protagonist who have restrictions and must maintain her culture’s expectations. If she does not follow the concepts of the ideal woman, the character finds others frowning upon her as she struggles to remain conformed. Eventually she learns to break away from the norm and discovers a new meaningful life. Three works—from …show more content…

In the Ramayana, Sita’s role is being the ideal submissive wife to Rama. Her obligations include worshipping her husband because above all else—he is a God and the highest importance in her life. Betraying the faith and loyalty of her husband would be failing her dharma— which in Hinduism means duty. Even when Rama must leave the kingdom because his step mother Kaikeyi banishes him, he clarifies with Sita that she does not have to join him. Regardless of his persuasion for her stay, Sita says, “After fourteen years! What would be the meaning of my existence? I could as well be dead… I am only alive with you; a forest or a marble palace is all the same to me” (Narayan 53). Although the option to stay is open to Sita, she sacrifices a protective shelter for Rama. To Sita, a wife’s duty is to be with her husband wherever he may go and to ask very little of him. However, when Mareecha lures her to request that Rama leave her and capture the golden deer, readers learn that her desires have consequences. While unprotected from danger, Mareecha kidnaps Sita to make her Ravanna’s wife. Even under this situation, Sita continues to main her loyalty to …show more content…

Although Valmiki’s The Ramayana reflects on a great, Hindu male god and shows Rama’s strong capacities and confidence, a part explores Sita’s character who exhibits courageous qualities. After returning to Ayodhya, the culminating moment of Sita’s story comes during her trial by fire. At this point, Rama tells Sita to leave because he refuses to belief Ravanna and her did not have sexual relations. Her devotion to Rama is so complete that she is willing to walk on fire to prove her purity. “Sita approached the fire, prostrated herself before it, and said, ’O Agni, great god of fire, be my witness.’ She jumped into the fire” (Narayan 149). Through her actions, Sita reveals that she is not a meek woman who allows herself to be enslaved and mistreated by her husband. Rather, she is fierce with a sense of pride and duty, whose rejection of Rama is the ultimate representation of

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