Understanding the Representation of Gender Biasedness in A.K. Ramanujan's "A Flowering Tree: A Woman's Tale"

A.K. Ramanujan’s “A Flowering Tree: A Woman’s Tale” subtly explores gender biasedness in the narration and portrayal of characters. The tale portrays the woman as a protagonist with magical powers, but she remains passive and subservient to her destiny and the male characters. Despite attaining supernatural powers, she lacks agency or authority; she has been portrayed as a commodity, a woman defined by sacrifices and servility towards men. The story critiques how the role of women has been shaped in the social and familial structures, as well as the stereotypical presentation of characters, even within folklore. It also unravels how the socio-cultural patterns of a chauvinistic world influence the female characters psychologically and physically as well.