Author: Keya Banerjee

Abstract: This paper offers a feminist analysis of Monika Bhatti’s Lives Not Lived, focusing on the character of Naina to examine how patriarchal structures restrict female autonomy in contemporary Indian society. Situating the study within the broader trajectory of feminist thought, the paper draws upon theoretical frameworks proposed by Kate Millett, Sylvia Walby, Kamla Bhasin, and Nivedita Menon. It explores how patriarchy operates through ideological conditioning, social norms, and coercive practices that limit women’s agency. The analysis highlights three major dimensions of control in Naina’s life: the absence of autonomy in education and personal decisions, experiences of sexual and emotional exploitation, and the burden of gendered societal expectations. Through close textual reading, the study demonstrates how these mechanisms function collectively to discipline, regulate, and subjugate women. The paper further examines the psychological consequences of such systemic oppression, including trauma, alienation, and internalized self-blame. By foregrounding Naina’s experiences, this study contributes to the limited scholarship on Bhatti’s work and underscores the persistence of patriarchal power structures despite advances in feminist discourse.

Keywords: Lives Not Lived, autonomy, sexual politics, feminist theory, patriarchy.

Article Info: Received: 26 Mar 2026; Received in revised form: 22 Apr 2026; Accepted: 27 Apr 2026; Available online: 30 Apr 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.112.101