CHITRA DIVAKARUNI’S PALACE OF ILLUSIONS

Abstract

This paper divulges into the female perspective of the Indian epic Mahabharata how it is narrated 
under female influence and the differences noticed based largely on gender and other 
sociolinguistic factors.  Some major constituents of this paper would be understanding and 
critically analyzing the point of view how it is biased or influenced under many circumstances in 
which gender and sociolinguistic factors also contribute and have an adverse impact.   
Divakaruni’s work involve various impactful women in her work one of which is Palace of 
Illusions that indeed creates an impactful aura which creates an opportunity of discussion regarding 
biasness of gender in language. Through generations we have read the Mahabharata as narrated 
by entities of position who had men influence and that field is reformed by Chitra Divakaruni as 
she introduces a female perspective into this which this paper will be analyzing. This novel 
presents a feministic view point as well that can be considered to be a huge creative point that 
presents the chance to depict how gender is influencing language not only in the modern times but 
from the times of epic when the cultural and social scenarios were entirely different from as they 
are today’s circumstance.   
This paper is put forth that would critically examine these given aspects of sociolinguistic setting 
and determine the role of language how it is used and in what manner and degree that creates an 
impactful scenario which holds the power to create dominance and the way it is showcased. Such 
use of language holds the power to alter many circumstances and situations and not necessarily 
always for the better outcome of the situation which would be understood in a more clarified 
manner in further content of this paper.    

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