Gauri’s Lesbianist and Separatist Identity in Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland

Abstract

This paper explores the sexual identity of Gauri, a radical character in Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland. Gauri’s copulation with a woman named Lorna clarifies her lesbian self and her parting from her parents, in-law’s house, husband, and even her own daughter, and finally, avoidance of traditional responsibilities of motherhood specifies her separatist status. Evidence of her sexual orientation implies her denial of patriarchal authoritativeness, avoidance of master’s access, and finally, her rejection of patriarchal access to her own domain. She dissociates herself for the sake of liberty and self-dignity and not to announce herself as a parasite. She silently revolts against cultural confinement. This radical character is interpreted in the light of queer study, which elucidates Gauri’s actions and detects her sexual identity. Previous researches illustrate The Lowland’s diasporic, political, ecocritical, and ethical aspects, some of which question stereotypical responsibilities of women and therefore uphold new dimensions of looking at women, while this paper identifies Gauri’s lesbianist and feminist separatist identity and interprets the reasons behind this type of representation applying Tyson’s elaboration of lesbianism and Frye’s concept of separatism.