Author(s): Sabrina Pearl Howell

Abstract: This paper provides a comparative exploration of Saguna by Krupabai Satthianadhan and The High-Caste Hindu Woman by Pandita Ramabai, emphasizing themes of ambivalence, performativity, and identity reconstruction within the framework of 19th-century colonial India. Both works examine the intricate relationship between gender, religion, and systemic injustice, portraying women's struggles to navigate societal constraints, reclaim their identities, and seek empowerment. Analyzing these narratives through a theological perspective, this paper investigates ideas of divine justice, redemption, and the Imago Dei. It illustrates how the authors critique patriarchal and caste-based structures while envisioning hope and transformative change. The study also highlights the significance of education, faith, and community in moving from oppression to empowerment, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative potential of divine grace.

Keywords: Krupabai Satthianadhan, Pandita Ramabai, Saguna, The High-Caste Hindu Woman, Indian Christian literature, Feminist theology, Postcolonial identity, Performativity and gender, Colonial India, Caste and patriarchy.

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.104.50