The Protagonists and their Formation of Authority in Vaikom Muhammed Basheer's Novels

Abstract

This paper offers a critical examination of male subjectivity and representations of masculinity in the novels of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, one of Malayalam literature’s most distinctive voices. Unlike conventional narratives that portray male protagonists as wielders of patriarchal power-whether overtly or covertly-Basheer’s male characters often stand apart in their rejection or absence of such dominance, both within the family unit and the public sphere. Though Basheer’s works are anchored in the broader tradition of literary realism, he maintains a stylistic and expressive distance from dominant tropes, particularly in the construction of his protagonists. Rather than creating heroic figures who engage in revolutionary struggles against societal injustices, Basheer offers alternative male figures marked by vulnerability, eccentricity, emotional depth, and a conscious detachment from traditional power structures. This divergence, the paper argues, is not merely a narrative choice but indicative of a deeper ideological position—one that questions and destabilizes hegemonic masculinity. Drawing on contemporary masculinity studies, which emphasize the plurality and cultural specificity of masculine identities, the paper explores how Basheer’s characters align with or challenge varying models of masculinity—including subordinated and hybrid forms. By foregrounding these alternative male subjectivities, the study illustrates how Basheer subtly subverts entrenched gender hierarchies and proposes a reimagined framework of male protagonism within the context of Malayalam literature and beyond.