Sultana's Dream

“They mean that you are shy and timid like men.”

Sister Sara explains what passersby meant by calling Sultana “mannish.” As far as Sultana is concerned, she is behaving appropriately for an Indian woman. However, outside the patriarchal context, her behavior is laughable. In the matriarchal setting of Ladyland, only men are supposed to be shy and timid. This extract shows the deep-rooted nature of patriarchal conditioning.

“‘I feel somewhat awkward,’ I said, in a rather apologizing tone, ‘as being a purdahnishin woman I am not accustomed to walking about unveiled.’”

In the Indian purdah system, women are supposed to confine themselves indoors and are not allowed to interact with strangers. Whenever they step outside, they must wear a veil. By appearing unveiled in public, Sultana flouts the norms of her society, and fears being considered immodest.

“Your Calcutta could become a nicer garden than this, if only your countrymen wanted to make it so.”

Sultana is captivated by the scenery and gardens in Ladyland, as horticulture is valued, and grass lawns and street flowers grow in abundance. Unlike patriarchal societies, Ladyland promotes an ecofriendly lifestyle, and progress is not made through the exploitation of nature.