Author: Amit Ghosh
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04030043
Abstract: The reinterpretation of mythological narratives in contemporary literature has enabled a critical reassessment of female archetypes, particularly within the framework of Indian epics. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s mythological retellings, notably The Palace of Illusions and The Forest of Enchantments, foreground a compelling duality in the representation of women—as both divine figures and mortal beings. This duality challenges traditional constructions of femininity that often confine women within rigid archetypal roles such as the goddess, the nurturer, or the sacrificer. This research article examines how Divakaruni reconfigures the dichotomy between the goddess and the mortal by humanizing mythological women while simultaneously preserving their symbolic and cultural significance. Drawing upon feminist literary criticism, archetypal theory, and postcolonial perspectives, the study explores how characters like Draupadi and Sita negotiate the tensions between divinity and humanity, power and vulnerability, duty and selfhood. The article argues that Divakaruni’s narratives dismantle idealized archetypes and reconstruct them as fluid identities, thereby enabling a more inclusive and empowering representation of women. Ultimately, these retellings serve as transformative texts that bridge mythology and modern feminist discourse.
Keywords: Female Archetypes, Goddess, Mortal, Feminist Retellings, Draupadi, Sita, Identity, Divakaruni.
Page No: 348-352