Feminist Study Of The Circle Of Karma

The Circle of Karma is an English realistic novel written by Bhutanese woman writer Kunzang Choden.It is an unconventional feminist novel with a Buddhist background,but it is not simply a feminist critique of the exploitation of women,nor simply a religious fiction urging a return to Buddhist tenets.The Circle of Karma is a story encompassing the theme of initiation,feminism,family,social customs and religion.With the background in 1950s,the heroine Tsomo felt keenly the differences between men and women in social and family life when she was very young,and started her journey of growing up after her mother's tragic labor death:She crosses the boundaries of different regions and countries,and experiences hardships of all sorts,and finally obtains inner peace from religion.The narrative gives a panoramic view of Bhutanese culture,traditions,social customs,and the modernization of Bhutan's society in chronological order,exploring the identities of women and the process of self-exploration of the heroine Tsomo undergoes as time goes on.At present,only few traceable researches have been conducted on this novel,among which most center on Bhutanese culture or myths,and only few have in-depth discussion from specific theory or dimension,including feminism.By combining social,cultural and religious background of the text,this thesis from feminist perspective studies several issues concerning women's life in The Circle of Karma.Firstly,this thesis analyzes women's positions and their roles in family and society,affirming women's role in family and exploring the reconstruction of women's identities in family and society.Secondly,this thesis discusses women's economic situation and the influence of economic development on them,analyzing women's roles in economic society and their economic predicament by combining with the background of the book.Furthermore,the thesis analyzes women's familial and social relations including the alienation between women,the importance of women to their families and the society in patriarchal institution,as well as the connections between women,thereby revealing how women are alienated in patriarchal society and how sisterhood builds connections between women and challenges patriarchy.Finally,this thesis analyzes the relations between women and Buddhism and what Buddhism means for the salvation and self-realization of women in reality.And by analyzing the fates and identities of Tsomo and other women and the meaning of religion for women in the story,this thesis examines the contradiction in Choden's feminist view,who offers a Utopian solution for the predicament of women in reality,that is,returning to religious life as spiritual comfort and a way out for sufferings without altering patriarchal structure.This story is unique with its special meanings and dimensions both in feminist research and Buddhist feminism concerns.The Circle of Karma is the first English novel written by a Bhutanese woman writer,and also the first feminist English story told by a Bhutanese writer.The innovation of this thesis lies in helping people know more about this unique story and its author Kunzang Choden,and the culture and development of the kingdom of Bhutan as well as the reality facing Bhutanese women.