A Feminist Analysis of Ismat Chughtai’s Novel “Tehri Lakeer”

Abstract

This study offers a feminist analysis of Ismat Chughtai’s novel Tehri Lakeer, a seminal work in Urdu literature that boldly explores the complexities of female identity, agency, and resistance within a patriarchal society. By examining the protagonist's psychological development and her struggle for self-definition amidst restrictive social norms, the research highlights Chughtai’s critique of gender roles, familial expectations, and the socio-cultural constraints imposed on women. The novel is analyzed through the lens of feminist literary theory, emphasizing themes such as bodily autonomy, sexual consciousness, and the politics of female voice and silence. This paper aims to demonstrate how Tehri Lakeer challenges traditional narratives of femininity and asserts a powerful vision of womanhood that is introspective, rebellious, and deeply human.