Gender, Identity, and Power:

An Intersectional Analysis of
K.R. Meera’s Assassin
By
Muhammad Hassan Raza
Introduction
• Exploration of Gender and Power: K.R. Meera's storytelling boldly examines
gender, identity, and power dynamics in Indian society, spotlighting women's
struggles in a patriarchal framework.
• Intersectional Analysis of "Assassin": The research focuses on Meera's novel
Assassin, analyzing its depiction of gender, identity, and power through strong,
self-defining female characters.
• Impact of Traditional Roles: Traditional gender roles perpetuate
marginalization by limiting women's autonomy, fostering inequality, and
enabling gender-based violence.
• Need for Resistance: Resistance to oppressive roles is vital to breaking cycles
of violence, silence, and shame, as these deeply entrench women's social,
political, and economic subjugation.
Research Objectives/Questions
• Objectives
• 1. To critically analyze how K.R. Meera portrays the intersection of gender, identity, and power in her novel
"Assassin."
• 2. To investigate the impact of societal norms and expectations on the characters in the novel, especially in
the context of gender and identity.
• 3. To examine how the characters in "Assassin" transgress boundaries and assert their own agency in response
to power structures.
• Questions: 1. How does K.R. Meera use her characters in Assassin to challenge traditional gender roles
and societal norms?
• 2. In what ways do the characters in the novel negotiate their identities in a society dominated by power
hierarchies?
• 3. How do the characters in Assassin assert their agency to navigate and confront the power structures that
influence their lives?
Literature Review
• Mathew’s (2024) study on Assassin explores its unique blend of
detective fiction and self-discovery, focusing on strong female
characters who navigate societal barriers and trauma with resilience,
empowerment, and empathy. The novel revolves around Satyapriya’s
investigation, deeply intertwined with the theme of violence against
women. Through its diverse cast, it highlights the intricate interplay of
caste, class, gender, and power dynamics in contemporary India. The
research offers a detailed analysis of the characters and the novel’s
socio-cultural implications.
• Zakeer (2023) examines the silent resilience of women in Indian society through
K.R. Meera’s Assassin, raising questions about identity, caste, and gender. The
novel begins with Satyapriya narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, seeking
refuge at her parents’ home in Kerala. There, unsettling revelations from her father
and his sudden death compel her to revisit past tragedies, reinterpreting them as
deliberate acts of violence. As Satyapriya uncovers hidden truths about her family,
the narrative explores themes of resilience, trauma, and systemic threats.
• Nair (2023) explores Meera’s assertion that “Assassin” serves as a personal
endeavor to chronicle the experiences of women from her generation, drawing
from her own observations. Meera’s firsthand encounters with the impact of
violence on relationships, spanning from familial bonds to broader social
connections, have illuminated the corrosive nature of such trauma. Immersed in
the task of documenting contemporary women’s lives, Meera navigated internal
struggles akin to a metaphorical “hell,” where her resilience was tested in
persevering with her writing. This dedication to portraying the struggles of
marginalized individuals resonates throughout “Assassin,” shedding light on the
intricate dynamics of wealth acquisition, prosperity, and loss.
Research Methodology
• Qualitative Research
• Textual Analysis of Text
• Delimited to the feminist analysis of the text of Assassin
• Theory
• Simon de Beauvoir’s Second Sex and
• Kimberly Crenshaw’s Race gender theory
Theoretical Framework
• Simon de Beauvoir: Second Sex
• Woman as the Other
• Economic Liberation
• The Making of a Woman
• Obstructions to Liberation
• Kimberle Crenshaw’s Theory
• Intersectional Identity
• Compound Discrimination
• Intersectionality and Privilege
• Critical Race Theory
Data Analysis
• Manipulation of Women
• “Women like me were plants that grew in the decorative planter that was the middle class.” (p.
557)
Challenging patriarchal norms is crucial for building a society that values gender and justice. The
passage exposes the marginalization of women through the comparison to plants, implying a lack of
control over their own lives.
• “My body performed the function of currency notes when we did not have the currency notes.”
( p. 130).
Femininity is a set of societal expectations and norms that shape and control women’s bodies and
minds. These expectations influence how women present themselves and behave, often limiting
their potential and autonomy.
• “The screaming in rape is only in the movies. In real life, your tongue sinks.” (p. 423)
The traumatic experience of sexual assault and the subsequent silencing of women’s voices
underscore the marginalization and oppression that women face.
• “I tried to find in him a father’s affection. It was he who had
arranged to kill me.” (p. 370)
The protagonist’s yearning for paternal love and acceptance
exposes her vulnerability and need for validation, highlighting the
ways in which women are often marginalized in their
relationships.
• “Wasn’t Baba an evil man? Who hired a hitman to kill me?”
(p. 373)
The basic aspect of resistance is to challenge the powerful
discourses in society. The protagonist’s vulnerability and fear,
having been targeted by a powerful figure, highlight the
marginalization of women in situations of power imbalance.
• Patriarchal Norms
• “So that was it: Satidharma. No matter what the husband may be like, good or bad,
you have to worship him as god.” (p. 61)
Patriarchal society uses different violence tools to control the mind and body of women.
• “You are training your daughters to be whores!” (p. 117)
The passage highlights the marginalization of women through the father’s sexist and
misogynistic language, which degrades and objectifies his daughters.
• “It is like having many lovers. One may feel proud for being in such high demand, but
truly, it is a pain.” (p. 448)
The expectation that women should be available and accommodating to multiple men
highlights the marginalization and objectification of women.
• Resistance and agency
• I, too, was a python. I, too, wrapped myself tightly around him,
suffocating him. Hindu or Muslim, a python is a python.” (p. 213)
Satya’s character exemplifies female resistance by claiming her own agency
and autonomy in her relationships, breaking free from societal shackles.
• “Yeah, keep it, and let the government snoop on you! All I wanted in the
forty-fourth year of my life was freedom and peace of mind.” (p. 51).
This line highlights Satyapriya’s resistance to the marginalization of
women’s autonomy and agency.
• ’Why did I then repair the Koyikkal family home and add a
bathroom and toilet there?” Acchan sulked. “Your mother and
siblings live there, don’t they?” retorted Appooppan.’ (p. 57)
This line highlights the objectification of women through the
expectation that women will prioritize their husband’s needs
over their own desires and the limitation of women’s agency in
decision-making processes,
• What’s the use of wealth when a woman won’t be respected
in her husband’s house?” (p. 58)
• “I leapt on him and clung hard to his back. He shook me, but I
didn’t let go.” ( p. 152)
• “I rejected the image of the daughter of the paralytic pauper
stuck in a shed in the Koyikkal family home, retrieved that of
the daughter of Sivaprasad, the film producer, editor and
hotel owner.” (p. 226)
Conclusion
• Satyapriya’s Resilience:
Satyapriya, a survivor of an assassination attempt, embarks on a transformative journey to unmask her
attacker, reflecting her resilience and determination. Her experiences, including childhood abuse, shape
her unyielding spirit to confront societal oppression and reclaim agency: “The screaming in rape is only
in movies, in real life your tongue sinks” (p. 243).
• Marginalization and Objectification:
The novel highlights patriarchal norms that objectify women and perpetuate fear, as illustrated by
Satyapriya’s observation: “Women like me were plants that grew in the decorative planter” (p. 557).
Her journey challenges these perceptions, symbolizing her resistance to being reduced to an object of
societal control.
• Inner Journey and Personal Growth:
Satyapriya’s quest to uncover her attacker’s motives mirrors her introspection into past choices and
relationships. The consequences of her entanglement, such as debt and manipulation, underscore the
interplay of agency and societal pressures: “My body performed the function of currency notes when
we did not have the currency notes” (p. 130).
• Power Dynamics and Financial Vulnerability:
The narrative explores financial exploitation and the imbalance of power, with Satyapriya’s interactions
exposing the fragility of trust. Her insight into relationships reveals a harsh reality: “She taught me that,
in a relationship, the one who is richer is the superior officer” (p. 316).
• Exploitation and Trust in Relationships:
The novel reveals the predatory nature of financial systems through Satyapriya’s struggles with exploitative money lenders
and family betrayal. Her resilience and compassion shine despite hardships: "My body performed the function of currency
notes when we did not have the currency notes” (p. 130).
• Satyapriya’s Personal Growth and Resistance:
Satyapriya’s journey symbolizes self-discovery, resilience, and defiance against patriarchal norms. Her desire for freedom
and peace is evident: “All I wanted in the forty-fourth year of my life was freedom and peace of mind” (p. 51). Her
introspection transforms her into a bold, self-determined woman: “I stepped from the gallery on to the field, from the
audience to the stage” (p. 307).
• Vasanthalakshmi’s Strength and Sacrifices:
Vasanthalakshmi exemplifies love, sacrifice, and resilience, navigating societal pressures and family betrayal with dignity.
Her union with Shivaprasad defied caste norms, supported by her father’s empowering gift of a home. Her composed
response to betrayal reflects her emotional intelligence and grace.
• Violence Against Women and Survival Strategies:
Assassin explores the pervasive violence women face, highlighting psychological and societal repercussions without
sensationalism. Satyapriya’s harassment underscores the resilience of survivors, while Nisha’s struggles with
socioeconomic pressures reveal exploitation and societal indifference to justice.
• The Urgent Need for Change:
Through Satyapriya and Nisha, the novel examines survival strategies amidst exploitation and violence. Nisha’s story
illustrates societal expectations and the need for justice, revealing the harsh realities of forgiveness prioritization over
accountability in addressing gender-based violence.