Performative Mourning: Deconstructing Gendered Widowhood in the Select Works of Githa Hariharan

Widowhood can be a dreaded experience. After the demise of the partner, it is extremely difficult and challenging to adapt to the massive changes and lifestyle henceforth. But this experience is not the same for all and can significantly vary for men and women. The article conceptualises widowhood as an imposed performance that encompasses a set of rituals and practices varying drastically for men and women. The article brings out the contrasting experiences of widows and widowers in Githa Hariharan's selected works, including two novels namely The Ghosts of Vasu Master, Fugitive Histories and two short stories namely “The Reprieve” and “Revati”. Employing Judith Butler’s theory of Gender Performativity and Bell Hooks’ view of patriarchy, the research tries to sketch widowhood as a performance that patriarchal structures seek to neutralise by imposing distinct and contradictory gender roles for widows and widowers.