Reflexion on Experience of Shift from Study from Literature to Gender
“Shifting discipline and studying different subject is similar to digging the ground across, and
you will never go deep and get water”. This remark by my one of colleague made in quite
different context sometimes haunts me and obliges me to think and rethink about my decision
of doing M.Phil/Ph.D in Gender Studies shifting from my Master’s in English Literature. Am
I doing wrong? Am I not able to deepen my knowledge with this disciplinary shift? Are these
two disciplines different, and so contradict each other? These are some of the questions that
come into my mind time and again. Trying to find answers to these questions, I have explored
that theories, principles, research methods that I am studying here in Gender Studies have
helped a lot to deepen my previously acquired knowledge. Similarly the knowledge and ideas
I gained as a student of Literature is truly supportive for my study of Gender.
Masters in English Literature taught me multiple things about literary works language and
linguistics, philosophy, theories and principles many of which now are related to the courses
of Gender Studies too. Though literature seemingly is regarded to be imaginative, it’s
purpose is similar to the purpose of other subjects of social science. Literature is reflection of
life and the world we live in. As Michael Foucault says, literature complement the facts of
contemporary time and space, which is omitted by so-called authentic history. It is because,
so-called authentic history is influenced by power, and to get real picture of any time and
space, we need to base on both history and fiction created during the respective time and
space. This actually works now while studying Gender. How the study of Gender could be
meaningful without understanding about power relation, production of knowledge, and their
influence in real life and social relation.
Moreover, courses do in Literature dealing with theories like Marxism, Modernism,
Postmodernism, Post-structuralism, Feminism, Deconstruction etc. are also the building
blocks of the courses of Gender Studies. Listening to lectures in M.Phil/Ph.D class, time and
again, take me back to the class of Literature in Central Development of English, TU
Kirtipur. These classes are reviving my ideas, perspective and experiences and making me
able to understand life and the world I am living in a different and better ways. Teachers are
different, disciplines are different, but my experience in these different disciplines have
sharpened my knowledge without making me experience any conflict and contradiction.
Studying research methods and contemplating on my research agenda of my M.Phil
repeatedly reminds me of my research topic of Masters’ Degree i.e. “Redefinition of
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Femininity in the Poetry of Sylvia Plath and Adrienne Rich”. This made me go through my
thesis and read again. I myself got quite surprised to realize that it actually was the feminist
research work, though it’s an analysis purely imaginative and words of Rich and Plath. The
revisiting of my thesis compelled me to reconceptualise how these poetesses attempted to
revolt against oppressing patriarchy through their poems and redefine femininity.
Furthermore, I was surprised to see the reference of Gerda Lerner’s “Creation of Patriarchy”
in literature review of the thesis. This shows that my recent M.Phil study is repeatedly taking
me back and making me to revive my knowledge. In this scenario, how could I believe that I
will not be able to go deep and sharpen myself?
Despite above mentioned experiences of similarities between the disciplines, I must admit
that there are differences too. Literary course focuses on the study of artistic, creative and
imaginative works whereas the study of Gender on real life experiences, dominance and
oppression of one gender to the other along with the motives of change and activism for
equality and justice. The former makes study of literary texts, and the latter of society and
social relations through the lens of gender. But both of these help develop the perspective and
understand the life and world in a better way. Due to hierarchy of level of Degree, my
experience in Gender Studies is quite broader and deeper than that I had while studying
Master’s. I am sure, this deeper and broader knowledge gaining process will enlarge and
sharpen my earlier achieved knowledge in the days to come.
Whatever the reason is behind the shift of the discipline, I don’t have any regret till now and
am sure I will not have in future too. To be frank, the thrust of higher study and strong desire
of broadening my academic qualification and personally unflavoured schedule of the M.Phil
class in English Literature made me shift the discipline. I had strong desire to study further to
broaden my academic skills of studying, writing, and doing research, but my personal
circumstances had not favoured me for years. But when I felt that it is the time to study
further despite the personal issues, evening class schedule came as obstacle to accomplish my
study. Either I had to give up the dream of doing M.Phil, or I had to shift the discipline.
When I pondered on it, Gender Studies came as solution to me, even from family advice.
Then I stepped here, which is being very insightful and worthy now.
My reflexion of the experience of this shift, till now, has shown that I am not doing any
wrong. Rather I have been able to deepen and broaden my knowledge as both of the
disciplinary knowledge supplement and complement each other to shower the student with
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their respective ways of providing knowledge. As a student of M.Phil/Ph.D in Gender
Studies, I have learned and been learning a lot utilizing the support of language and literature
based ideas and knowledge. Being thankful to the teachers and the departments of both
disciplines, I, now, am very sure that shifting the discipline and subject will not create
obstacle to go deep and get the water.
By Sarita Laudari, student of Mphil/Ph.D.,
Department of Gender Studies, TU
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