THE FRACTURED PSYCHE AND PATRIARCHAL CONSTRAINTS IN ANITA DESAI'S CRY, THE PEACOCK

Abstract [English]

This paper examines Maya's psychological distress and subjugation within patriarchal structures in Anita Desai's 1963 novel, Cry, The Peacock. The analysis delves into Maya's deepening neurosis, stemming from an overprotective childhood, an emotionally detached marriage, and a haunting prophecy of death. The pervasive influence of patriarchal constraints is explored through her father's stifling care and her husband Gautam's emotional neglect, which exacerbate her feelings of alienation and unfulfilled desires. The peacock's symbolism is investigated as a reflection of Maya's inner turmoil, embodying both the intensity of life and the inevitability of death. Finally, the paper considers Maya's culminating act of violence—pushing Gautam from the roof—as a complex outcome, blurring the lines between a desperate act of rebellion against her "existential imprisonment" and a tragic descent into psychotic breakdown. The novel's enduring significance lies in its profound portrayal of female psychology within a specific socio-cultural context, offering varied critical interpretations of identity, isolation, and societal pressures.