Marginalization and the Manifestation of Gender-Biased Androcentric Male Gaze: The Problem of Opposing Female Oppression through the Narrative Structure in K.S. Maniam’s “The Loved Flaw”

Abstract

This study tries to discover the male gaze in K.S. Maniam’s “The Loved Flaw” (2001). It attempts to demonstrate how Maniam depicts the male gaze as a suppressive reaction towards marginalizing women. The study, therefore, examine this marginalization as a means for exploiting women for male desires regardless their position in society. As such, it unravels the make gaze, which is blatantly depicted in the plot, as an intimidating social phenomena which belittles women’s rights and effective roles in their society. For this reason, the study looks into oppressive male gaze through the lens of feminism that approaches the position of women in negative social conditions; whereby they are mistreated and oppressed. It depends on the gender peculiarities of the male gaze to delve deep into the authentic impetus threatening the human and social value of women. Being so, it reveals Maniam’s concern with empowering women’s rights and stability as human beings capable of making their decisions. Thus, the female gaze will be explored as the lurking motivation of women’s suppression portrayed in the plot.