Feminism In Vaneesa Mac Leod's A Bird In The House

Feminism has been a topic of discussion on many literary works, dissertations and seminars as women of our society have been enduring the problem. There is no answer to the question how long they have to endure? But there is an answer for the question how long they have been enduring? The knowledge of feminism enters when an individual gets affected by the problem or observed the problem. Indian women have been a victim of patriarchal society nearly 3000 years. The problems have been changing from age to age but women remains as victim. Female authors come out with varied perceptions. But overall contributions made by women writers are less and so they have been invisible and their voice become unheard. Thus the empowerment of women becomes

It was narrated by the female character Vaneesa Mac Leod started from her childhood to the present age of forty. She narrates what she has observed from her surrounding, listen to others’ words and sometimes eavesdrops. Who considered herself as a bird in the cage maintained by her grandfather Timothy connor. Vaneesa sometimes called her grandfather the great bear who used to wear a thick fur coat. His exposition of disapproval of things can be seen even in the way he walks. He is very punctual, strict, and conservative and short- tempered. No one could tolerate his words and especially Vaneesa but everyone didn’t want to reveal as it may hurt Grandmother Agnes. During the course of the stories she slowly learns about all the tragedies concerning the people surrounding her and she ventures out more and learns about what goes on outside the safety of her home and people related to her. After few years there came a situation Vaneesa has to stay with her grandfather connor as she has lost her father who passed away by pneumonia. Similar to her mother and aunt felt she is also liked to escape from Manawaka and from the brick house. Women of the first brick house of Manawaka called it as ‘Confounding dungeon’ and want to get out it and search their identity Aunt Edna did so as she has decided to marry Wes Grigg who is also insulted by Timothy Connor decided to leave

It was the way he would stalk around the Brick House as though it were a cage.”(63) He has earned by shoeing horses after some years become a blacksmith later saved enough money and set a hardware store for him and always talk to her about his past which made her to feel bore. Timothy connor played a vital role in the collection of stories. He is very punctual, strict, conservative and short- tempered and can be called an example of patriarchal society. Terence stated “ He could never show any of his own. All he could ever come out with in was anger.Well everybody to his own shield in this family”(85) Grandmother Agnes is known for her manners and she never pushes her belief over others not even hurt others through her words though she didn’t like one’s activities.She was praised as angel by Timothy after her death but never during her life time once. The character of grandmother resembles more to the woman of Indian society.Beth,mother of Vanessa ,a widow would like to free herself from clutches of the society but couldn’t do even from her father.She wishes to fulfill her dream through her daughter. Beth said “Your grandfather didn’t believe in education for women”(187) He has not allowed her for her higher studies. She likes to send her daughter for higher education. Vanessa