Pandian Journal of Women's Studies (May 2023)
இழப்பும் ஈடும் / Loss and Compensation
Abstract
Ambai (C. S. Lakshmi) is one of the famous Short Story writers in Tamil and most of her short stories are translated into English by many people. She is considered the ‘True Feminist’ as most of her stories illuminate the problems and mental agony experienced by the feminine sex. She brings forth various personalities right from the upper class to the lower class and for her nothing is impossible. She expresses her intentions freely and seldom bothers about the consequences. She intends to make the women understand the ground realities than living in an imaginary world. The women seek pleasure in getting praised by others for things unworthy. Most of the females attach themselves to the kitchen work and seek pleasure in preparing various delicacies. They also feel like flaunting their beauty but that has no value in a modern technologically sound universe. Many would not prefer to admit their weakness and hence put themselves under pressure for reasons known to them. Men knew the weakness of the women and it is easy for them to win over them. They need not struggle to make them happy but rather ignore them and the woman does abide by the rules set by him over some time. It is because they understand that most women cannot live independently however crude the man may be. This is the power of man and over time, the woman understands her loss that in turn infuriates her. Yet the path of recovery is not yet visible. Most of the stories of Ambai depict the weakness of females who succumb to unnecessary pleasures. Caution is sublime. The story VALLURU (The Falcon) depicts the arrogance of a man with his wife who wants to be happy and have a pleasant time. Something is missing between them. The suspicion kills the husband and he improperly avenges his anger. The sad part is though she knows she is the victim, she yields to that. Over time, understanding her loss and insult, she too wants to quench her wrath on him and finds a way; but dies without a proper solution. Needless to say, her children remain as a victim as they have to face the future with the bad episode set by the parents.
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