Vol. 9, Issue 8, Part D (2023)

This paper deals with the opposite facets of women developed in a patriarchal Indian society. It is obvious from the plays of Vijay Tendulkar that women are either suppressive or indomitable as per their nature or the circumstances they had undergone. In his plays, Tendulkar has given the real picture of women: weak, submissive, and victimized or a Shavian New Woman who is strong enough to combat the male chauvinism. In a portrayal of these women, one more sect of women is found whose mind-sets are shaped by the patriarchal society. The women who are earlier projected as meek and docile have lately acquired the courage enough to manipulate the situation in their own favour to retain their position in the male-oriented society. They portray a dynamic change in their character which leaves the spectators spellbound in the end of the play. Hence, this paper attempts to bring out the opposite facets of a woman and how patriarchy plays a huge role in shaping a woman’s mind-set according to male psyche. Such woman is so internalized in patriarchy that unknowingly she becomes a foil to another woman.