Anvita Datla Week 3

Gendering Caste through a feminist lens-

The chapter talks about the deep rooted caste system and the divisions based on caste and jati which are in play in the society. The author talks about the idea of pure and impure that exists within the divisions and the absurdity of the practices which show the extreme nature of these divisions The inequalities among castes are still prevalent and in practice in actuality. The author also brings forth the two fold classification in the society, one according to purity and the other according to the political and economic status and together they form the basis for the distinct form of inequality of the caste system. It is also seen how, power and the control over resources is pivotal and helps in enforcing the caste based inequalities and the reason why upper castes enforce their dominance over the lower castes and this very power difference doesn’t allow the lower castes to upraise themselves and they aren’t able to breakthrough the system.

The axis of Gender Stratification in India-

Chapter 2 examines and discusses how class, caste and gender are all co-related and interact with and shape each other. The author throws light on to how the structure of marriage itself reproduces class and caste inequality. Famous quotes are included by her in the text to analyse the barriers with regards to class, caste and gender and how there are restriction imposed. One example being, restriction to marry inside the caste and how marriages must only be endogamous and one reason for this being, to continue having the social and economic privileges within the group. Endogamy further keeps caste stratification and patriarchy in the society alive.The institution of marriage is further discussed to describe the standards and conditions for marriage, those being of caste, sub-caste and gotra and the main purpose of this institution is the continuation of the male line and so that the man can continue his ‘vansa’ and women are seen just as 'gateways' to fulfil this purpose. Girls are seen as ‘gifts’, as objects of exchange, to be made to a man of the same jati.