Sister of My Heart

Sister of My Heart explores the role of sisterhood—community and solidarity between women—in a patriarchal society centered on the institution of marriage. In the world of Sister of My Heart, marriages between families are transactions centered on the acquisition of prestige and wealth. Women are currency in these exchanges, as biological relation is key: Women, who are expected to remain passive and obedient, ensure continuance of patrilinear lines. In line with its title, though, the novel questions this status quo. It casts doubt on the importance of biology to familial bonds, asking if ‘family’ really denotes nothing more than social and economic status. Simultaneously, it highlights the power of women choosing to support each other and themselves rather than the patriarchal systems governing them.

The novel offers many examples of failures at feminine solidarity, and in these cases, it emphasizes how choosing to uphold the patriarchy rather than support women’s autonomy undermines women’s freedom more broadly. More overt examples include Sarita Aunty and Mrs. Sanyal. Sarita Aunty is delighted to turn the girls in after discovering their outing to the theater. Mrs. Sanyal embodies the rejection of solidarity, prioritizing her meager claim to power under the patriarchy to the point that she dehumanizes

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