Between Resistance and Conformity

Premchand's writing both challenges and reinforces traditional gender roles and expectations for women in colonial North India. On one hand, his works often depict women as compliant domestic subjects, emphasizing their roles in marriage and the household. This is evident in characters like Anandi in "Bade Ghar ki Beti," who embodies the ideal of a sacrificing and tolerant wife. On the other hand, Premchand also portrays women as agents of change and resistance. Characters like Minakshi in "Godaan" and Kusum in "Kusum" challenge traditional roles by seeking autonomy and independence. Furthermore, his portrayal of women in the public sphere, such as Godavari in "Patni se Pati," challenges traditional gender norms by depicting women as active participants in the nationalist movement. Overall, Premchand's writing complicates the portrayal of women, offering both reinforcement and subversion of traditional gender roles.

Premchand employs the concepts of 'hidden transcript' and 'everyday forms of resistance' to analyze the subversive actions of his characters by revealing the covert, everyday rebellions that occur beneath the surface of societal norms. He showcases characters who, despite adhering to the public transcript of societal expectations, engage in hidden transcripts that challenge and undermine these norms. For instance, in "Kafan," the untouchable characters Ghisu and Madhav engage in acts of resistance like stealing and mocking religious customs, which are not openly acknowledged but subtly undermine the social order. This approach allows Premchand to highlight the complexities of resistance and the diverse ways individuals challenge authority and oppression in their daily lives.

Premchand's nuanced perspective on nationalism and civil resistance offers a complex understanding of colonial India's political landscape. His portrayal of peasants as individuals, capable of heroism and sacrifice, yet often constrained by their circumstances, challenges the simplistic view of them as passive subjects. His focus on civil resistance in nationalist narratives, contrasting with the often-ignored peasant uprisings, highlights the diversity of resistance strategies. This perspective underscores the complexity of colonial India's political landscape, revealing the interplay of various forms of resistance, the nuances of nationalist politics, and the challenges faced by different social groups. Premchand's work encourages a more comprehensive understanding of the period, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the struggle for independence and the diverse responses to colonial rule.

The book contributes to the scholarly debate on Premchand's literary corpus by offering a nuanced analysis of his works, particularly focusing on themes of conformity and resistance. It challenges the traditional view of Premchand as a simple nationalist or reformist by highlighting the complexities of his portrayal of peasants, women, and nationalism. The book's interdisciplinary approach, incorporating historical and cultural contexts, provides a fresh perspective that encourages readers to reconsider Premchand's relevance today. It also addresses the limitations of previous criticism, which often fell into hagiography or carping, and offers a more balanced assessment of Premchand's work, emphasizing its enduring relevance to contemporary readers.