Assertion of Motherhood in Manju Kapur’s Custody

Abstract

This research explores issues like divorce, broken marriage and remarriage in upper middle class of urban Indian families in Manju Kapur’s Custody. The suffering of women after their divorce, some focus battle for the custody of the children is shown in this research. To prove this idea the researcher brings the theory of postmodern feminist. The major theoretical tenet of Judith Butler, Simon De Behavior, Julia Kristeva are used to probe the research. The core finding of this research is that Ishita and Shagun manipulate both their kids for the sake of custody and for their welfare. Ishita needs Roohi as she can never bear a child of her own. Shagun, being the biological mother of Arjun and Roohi, claims their custody. The novel reveals the unimagined uncertainties of marriage. The parents bargain with each other for their children for the sake of divorce. This novel gives an insight to go deeper into the heart of children who are torn between the crude and shrewd battle of their custody. In this battle of egos, Kapur has successfully presented the sufferings of innocent children, the complexities of life and different structures of values in her novel.