Between Pages and Preparation



After coming home from college. I spent my half an hour taking rest, a short nap, and then I immediately sat down with my books, notes, and research material, determined to prepare for my upcoming seminar. The topic I chose is very close to my heart: Anita Nair’s novel Ladies Coupe and how it portrays the lives of women.

The more I read, the deeper I went into the world of the five women in the novel. They are Marikolunthu, Prabha Devi, Janaki, Sheela, and Margaret. Each of them carries her own pain, struggles, and stories. They come from different walks of life, but their voices come together to show one truth: women, even in today’s society, are still forced to face challenges, sacrifices, and silent battles.

As I turned the pages, I found myself almost crying at some parts. Their struggles felt real, not just because Anita Nair wrote them so beautifully, but because I could see the reflection of so many women I know in real life. The novel opened my eyes to the harsh reality that patriarchy is not something of the past, it still exists around us.

While preparing for my seminar, I kept asking myself questions: Why should women always compromise? Why is their freedom so often limited? Why do they have to fight so hard just to live a life of dignity? These questions pushed me to read more, note down points, and prepare with greater passion. 

The message I wish to take forward through my seminar is clear: women must stand together, raise their voices, and challenge the systems that hold them back. Change cannot happen overnight, but awareness is the first step. And literature, especially novels like Ladies Coupe, gives us that awareness by making us feel the struggles of others.

Preparing for this seminar did not just make me ready for my presentation. It made me reflect on my own life as a woman, my rights, my responsibilities, and the importance of sisterhood. I hope when I present this in class, I can share not just the story of the characters, but also the hope that together, we can bring change.


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