From Silence to Defiance: Violence and Resistance in Tehmina Durrani’s Autobiography My Feudal Lord

Abstract

Women all over the world have been exploited, subjugated and dominated by men in all societies. They are treated as ‘extras’ and ‘surplus’ in their respective societies. They are ill-treated and 8not given their due place in society. Growing up in such a society that is full of exploitation and subjugation is a challenge for women in their survival. Not only do illiterate women become the victims of male dominance, but the condition of the educated women is also worsened. Various female writers have given voice to millions of suppressed   women through their writings. Tehmina Durrani, a well-educated, established woman, was extremely exploited and subjugated by her husband, Mustafa Khar. She has very bravely exposed the hypocrisy of patriarchal society in her autobiography My Feudal Lord.  Her autobiography deals with various themes like lust, rape, extramarital relations, domestic violence and betrayal. This paper analyses Tehmina Durrani’s struggle   against violence and resistance for identity in a male-dominated society. She becomes a political, social and feminist activist and takes control of her life and destiny. She puts an example of women’s courage and resistance in her autobiography for all the suppressed women in all societies.