The Impact Of Childlessness On Marital Identity In Perumal Murugan's One Part Woman.

Abstract

Perumal Murugan's One Part Woman presents a powerful exploration of the social, cultural, and psychological consequences of childlessness in a traditional rural society. The novel focuses on the married life of Kali and Ponna, a couple who share deep affection and companionship but experience severe social pressure because they remain childless after twelve years of marriage. In the society portrayed by Murugan, parenthood is considered an essential aspect of marital fulfilment, and the inability to produce a child affects not only individual identity but also the stability of the marital relationship. This paper examines how childlessness transforms the marital identity of Kali and Ponna by exposing the influence of patriarchy, caste traditions, religious beliefs, and social expectations. The study argues that Murugan presents childlessness not as a biological failure but as a socially constructed stigma that determines the value of individuals within the community. Through the experiences of the protagonists, the novel questions the assumption that marriage gains meaning only through reproduction