An analysis of domestic struggle in R. K. Narayan’s The Dark Room

R. K. Narayan’s The Dark Room presents a subtle yet powerful portrayal of domestic life in colonial India, foregrounding the silent suffering of women within a rigidly patriarchal household. This paper examines the domestic struggle of the protagonist, Savitri, as a representative figure of countless women subjected to the dominance of male authority. Through the lens of domestic patriarchy, the study explores how gendered power relations confine women to oppressive roles, denying them emotional autonomy and personal dignity. The narrative reveals the psychological impact of such domination, highlighting Savitri’s mental stress caused by emotional neglect, humiliation, and sustained patriarchal control exercised by her husband, Ramani. In addition, the paper investigates instances of physical harassment and coercion, both explicit and implicit, that reinforce male supremacy and normalize violence within the domestic sphere. Narayan’s realistic depiction exposes how the home, conventionally idealized as a space of security, becomes a site of suffering and resistance for women. By analyzing Savitri’s momentary rebellion and eventual return, the study also reflects on the social constraints that limit female emancipation in traditional Indian society. Ultimately, the paper argues that The Dark Room serves as a critical social document that interrogates domestic patriarchy and its devastating effects on women’s mental and physical well-being, thereby contributing to feminist readings of Indian English literature.