Feminine Stereotypes and Objectification in Punjabi Folklore: A Feminist Discourse Analysis of Heer and Mirza Sahiban

Abstract

This study explores feminine stereotypes and the objectification of women in two iconic Punjabi tragic love folk tales, Heer by Syed Waris Shah and Mirza Sahiban by Hafiz Barkhurdar. Using Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this research investigates how these texts portray the roles of women within a patriarchal society. The study aims to explore the feminine stereotypes in the depiction of the protagonists, highlight the sexual objectification embedded in their physical descriptions, and examine the differences in their loyalties towards family and beloveds under the influence of Punjabi patriarchal culture. Through CDA, the research analyzes the ways in which these narratives depict women primarily through their physical beauty, submission, and obedience to male authority. The findings reveal that both Heer and Mirza Sahiban reinforce patriarchal ideals by presenting women as subordinate figures whose worth is often tied to their sexual allure and devotion to men. However, the contrasting loyalties of the protagonists—Heer’s unwavering dedication to Ranjha and Sahiban’s divided loyalties between her family and lover—highlight the complexities of female agency and resistance within these cultural constraints. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between gender, power, and representation in South Asian literature, offering critical insights into the lasting impact of gendered portrayals in folklore.