WOMEN IN PAKISTAN A SUBDOMINANT GROUP OF MUTED GROUP THEORY IN SABYN JAVERI’S, “HIJABISTAN.”

Abstract

This study aims to highlight the issue of gender discrimination faced by women and treatment of men to them as a subdominant group based on patriarchic mindset in Pakistan. The major concern of research is to discuss the portrayal of identity crisis, gender bigotry, power of men dominated language and silencing of women in Hijabistan as a feminist discourse. This discourse is a collection of short stories written by Pakistani Feminist writer Sabyn Javeri giving an account of way women are treated in a patriarchic Pakistani society. This collection with all its protagonists being female is an eye opening, thought provoking and socially addressing piece of literature. This study will highlight the theme of suffering based on superior patriarchic mindset. Muted group theory is used as the theoretical framework of research. The selected discourse is analyzed using qualitative methods in light of the theory.  The findings of study aim at pointing out reasons women face identity crisis due to silencing and dominance. It shows the association of language with establishing a dominant common discourse in practice. Study highlights women in Pakistan as a sub dominant group and the reasons behind this. It highlighted the portrayal of real life social issue in Pakistani literature and its importance.