Honour, Patriarchy and Violence: A Liberal Feminist Analysis of No Honour by Awais Khan

Abstract

The paper gives a critical analysis of the relationship between patriarchal violence, and honour-based violence, in modern South Asian literature, with particular focus on No Honour. The paper uses the combination of liberal feminist analysis and the theory of violence and peace by Johan Galtung to explore the different forms of violence that women face in a patriarchal society. The paper studies the lives of the two female characters, Abida and Shabnam and how they are both victims of and resist the cultural norms of the patriarchal and honour-based societies that limit their self-determination. The study uses the concept drawn by Galtung to reveal the connection of direct violence, structural violence, and cultural violence. The analysis focuses on how No Honour exposes patriarchal norms and offers women's resistance as a means to gain self-sufficiency. This study adds to feminist literary scholarship by demonstrating the capacity of literature to challenge gender inequalities and bring about change.