Unveiling Pain And Resistance: Violence, Trauma, And Abuse In Meena Kandasamy's When I Hit You

Abstract

Physical violence, a pervasive manifestation of patriarchal oppression, often leaves scars far deeper than the physical body, extending into the emotional and psychological realm. Trauma arising from such violence disrupts an individual’s sense of self and ability to navigate life, often normalizing suffering to the point where victims perceive it as bearable. Meena Kandasamy’s When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife explores the normalization of violence and its devastating impact on women within a patriarchal society. Through the protagonist’s harrowing journey, Kandasamy unveils the cycles of domestic abuse, exposing how systemic misogyny perpetuates control and subjugation. The novel portrays how patriarchal structures not only silence women but also condition them to endure suffering in the name of familial honor and societal expectations. By detailing the protagonist’s struggles and resilience, the text reveals her transformation from a victim of domestic violence to an empowered feminist writer, using writing as a tool for resistance and healing.This paper investigates the intersections of gender, power and systemic violence, situating the novel within feminist and ecological frameworks. It critically examines the parallels between the exploitation of women and nature, both viewed as entities to dominate and suppress. The study also highlights the enduring misogynistic practices in modern Indian society, where patriarchal norms stifle women’s agency and silence their voices. Ultimately, it underscores how Kandasamy’s narrative challenges patriarchal structures and the normalization of abuse, offering a poignant critique of societal complicity. The novel emerges not only as a feminist manifesto but also as a testament to the transformative power of resistance, resilience and the act of reclaiming one’s voice.