Sultana’s Dream: Religion as an Apparatus in Gender Role Assignment

SÖYLEM, cilt.9, sa.2, ss.730-742, 2024 (Hakemli Dergi)

Sultana’s Dream, written by Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain in 1905, is a utopian novella that

challenges established gender norms in a manner that effectively undermines the process

of conventional gender stereotyping. Hossain’s narrative unfolds in Ladyland, a society where

women undertake responsibility for various aspects of life, while men are confined to purdah,

secluded quarters designated for their isolation. The story, despite its brevity, explores the re-

establishment of a matriarchal government, the peaceful stabilization of society, the widespread use

of technology without male involvement, the celebration of intellect over physical strength, and the

subversion of traditional gender roles, thereby underlining the inherent subordinate conditions of

women due to their culture embroidered with religious attributions. Although the story occasionally

favours women over men, its purpose, as is proper to the function of utopianism, is to inspire readers

by demonstrating the possibility of a better future. This article, therefore, aims to explore the role of

religion as an apparatus of the inherent Indian culture in oppressing and isolating women, with

reference to Hossain’s seminal work, Sultana’s Dream.