Abstract
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novel The Forest of Enchantments (2019), popularly known as Sitayan revolves around the journey of Sita, the wife of epic hero Rama, who emerges as a harbinger of change, lending her voice to the muted echoes of marginalized women characters within the expanse of Indian mythology, Ramayana. The study analyzes the character of Sita with the societal challenges confronted by her and also her quest for identity and space within the constraints of a patriarchal milieu. Using the tool of feminist revisionist mythology, Divakaruni undertakes a humongous task of scrutinizing the narrative of Sita—a quintessential figure in Indian mythology. Revisionist writing, which received significant applause in recent times, presents an alternative perspective by deconstructing the age-old mythological narratives. Moreover, it highlights the adaptable quality of myths to address contemporary challenges. By employing feminist lens, this study not only unpacks the strictures of patriarchal conventions that dominate, exploit and marginalize the women characters but also establishes the fact that the age-old myths, written mostly by men, have become the victim of patriarchy. Sita’s journey stands as a beacon of inspiration for women fighting for justice against the injustices perpetrated by patriarchal society. This paper delves deep into these issues, exploring how Sita navigated the patriarchal landscape while simultaneously amplifying the voices of marginalized women characters. Her story serves as a powerful catalyst for resurrecting and empowering women relegated to the periphery.
Keywords: Patriarchy, Place, Revisionist narrative, Society, Space, Women experience.